On Saturday night the streets of Southwold were illuminated with a wonderful display of Christmas lights.
Stormy Sam, the mascot from the RNLI came onto the Town Hall balcony to wave to the crowds, alongside the Town Mayor and Serjeant-at-Mace (next year the RNLI will be celebrating its 200-year anniversary and Southwold RNLI will be leading the celebrations).
The new Vicar Russ Gant said some prayers and was then joined by Santa, and guest Charlie Mackesy the author of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse which sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 different languages. The film won Charlie an Oscar and a BAFTA for the best animated short film.
Santa then went to the grotto at the back of the Swan for children to visit him, whilst in the Market Place there were carols with the Wrentham Band and Sole Bay Singers from the main stage.
The Town Mayor thanked everyone for coming along and wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The event was very well supported – both LIGHT UP Southwold and the local community had done a tremendous job in organising the first full ‘switch on’ post Covid and have provided a lovely legacy for the future.
