HUNDREDS of people turned out for the Christmas tree lights switch on in Studley by the A435.
The event, organised by the Co-op store and Studley in Bloom and held last Thursday, turned into a massive festive celebration complete with carols from St Mary’s Catholic School Choir and the Primrose Hospice Choir.
To keep everyone fed Ross Watkins from Bespoke Butchers ran the gauntlet across the A435 to keep the throng topped up with beef rolls and hot dogs.
The lights were switched on by Jean Earp from the Co-op who together with manager Gareth Fordham joined the hard working Bloomers to make the event a success.
“We’ve got so many people to thank, including Castle Nurseries, Studley Christmas lights committee, councillors Brian Dixon and Gill Beard, Studley in Bloom and even some of my neighbours who helped out as we had so many people by the main road,” said Bloom chair Gill Liebthal.
And with just one event to go before the end of the year, the switch on was a glorious highlight to what has been a year packed with success for the Bloomers.
Not only did they retain their Gold award from Heart of England in Bloom but also achieved a Silver Gilt – just one below Gold – in the Britain in Bloom competition in their first year of competing.
Studley in Bloom now plans to take a year out of competition to re-charge batteries and come up with new ideas but Gill said they would still be maintaining the high standards they’ve set in and around the village.
“We have had a fantastic year and we’ve been so lucky with all our sponsors and volunteers. We are taking a year out of competition but it will not affect what we do in the village, we’ll still be doing the weeding and planting, but for pleasure rather than for competing, so the pressure will be off,” said Gill.
“We’ll also be continuing with our monthly litter pick.”
[BLOB] The final event of the Studley in Bloom calendar is next Thursday, December 15 from 9am to 12noon when they will hold a festive coffee morning at the Co-op with Father Christmas in person. All welcome.
