Amazing – a great community feel – best year yet! These were just a few views expressed for the Paulton Christmas Lights switch on and market which took place last Saturday.

Residents and visitors to the village were entertained during the evening by Paulton Concert Band, Tabor Hand Bell Ringers, Dweamah dancers and Rev Adam Pitt and his band led the community singing of Christmas Carols and songs before turning on the lights.

It may have been a really cold evening but that did not put off 1,000 plus people gathering at the War Memorial to experience the start of Paulton’s Christmas 2021.

Charity stalls in the Methodist Hall shared the space with Father Christmas’ grotto, an Art display was held in the Cellar and a real mix of stalls in the precinct selling their wares added to the magic. The shops and café Bombero in Hill Court stayed open which made for a wonderful atmosphere. There was plenty to eat and drink including a burger van, The Lamb Inn served mulled wine and cider and an ice cream van . . . yes, ice cream, and my, was the queue long!

Paulton Library at the Hub was also open to showcase the facility and were delighted to have a couple of new members sign up.

A really big thank you to everyone involved, from inception to the smooth running of the event, including the manning of road closures – without you all we could not have had such a wonderfully successful evening.

Anne Lyons, Chairman, Events Committee