THE bells rang out for Christmas in Studley on Friday night when hundreds of villagers gathered for the big festive lights switch on at the village hall.
Called to the scene by town crier Kevin Ward – moonlighting from his official role in Bromsgrove – and joined by parish council chairman Paul Beaman and Santa Claus himself, a group of local children had the honour of pushing the plunger that powered up the lights for Christmas 2015.
Councillor Beaman said: “As always it’s been a really good evening and the lights look fantastic thanks tothe hard work of the Christmas lights committee.
“They’ve gone out there and secured considerable funding with some local businesses helping as well and in the future we’re looking to extend it further into the village.”
The evening itself was spectacular; the village hall was crammed to the rafters with fund raisers and craft stalls selling an array of handmade gifts all serenaded by Studley Voices Together singing carols from the gallery.
Santa’s grotto meanwhile was a magical world of wonder with queues of eager children and mums and dads snaking around the reception area and out the front door.
“This just shows what Studley can do when it works together and in the process I’m sure we’ll be raising hundreds of pounds for a range of worthwhile causes,” said Coun Beaman.
