Christmas Lights On 2023

December 7, 2023All OfUsOther

December took off in style with Santa Claus lighting up our Village Christmas lights at the beloved Village Hall on December 2nd! Thanks to your incredible support, we raised an astounding total of £1,500 through ticket sales and generous donations for Dover Outreach and Ami Modi’s Shree Sava Foundation.

Despite a flurry of snow on Friday night, luck was on our side, offering a chilly yet rare sunny day. Our volunteers were quick to action, gritting the village hall car park early Saturday morning and transforming the hall into a festive wonderland.

Mulled wine, mince pies, delightful festive cupcakes, and brownies awaited outside. The stage was adorned with an array of donated raffle prizes by the Christmas tree. DJ Kentastic set up a festive booth, readying games for the family disco. This year, we rearranged things, providing more space indoors to mingle and relish the delicious food donated by Chef-de-Mumbai, The Coastguard, Firstlight, and The Village Shop, expertly served by our amazing volunteer team.

Nothing went to waste! Any leftover food was packaged and delivered to the Night Shelter and Dover Pantry.

The radiance of our community spirit was palpable, lighting up the night sky with its warmth!

A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional volunteers whose unwavering dedication made our Christmas Light Switch-On a resounding success! I’m attempting the impossible now – recalling everyone involved. If I’ve missed someone, please let me know, and I’ll ensure they’re rightly recognised!

Cakes donated by Barbara and Sarah Dean
Mulled Wine donated by Nikki & Barry Fulford with Heidi & Paul Mitchell helping on the day
Carols sung beautifully by our amazing Church Choir
Morris Dancing – Offcumduns Border Morris
Christmas Songs – St Margaret’s Players
Sound System and skills provided by Clive Luckett
First Aid, thankfully not needed, by Clive & Tanya Harding
Raffle Team – Celia Cotton, Jim & Sue Rayner, Brenda Paul, Amber Smith, Bertie Lawson-McGreggor and Sophia Muir
Raffle Prizes donated by The Village Shop, Smugglers, Coastguard, St Margaret’s Holistic Therapies, Alison Stevenson, Orla Checksfield
Food provided by Chef de Mumbai, Coastguard, FirstLight and The Village Shop
Cooked / Served by Chef de Mumbai, Coastguard Team of Kelly & Sue Cant & Anne, Chef Peter, Team VJ and Mark Checksfield
Additional Sponsors: Shelagh Vines and Marshall & Clarke
Nursery Team – Jayme Dunigan, Stacey Mills, Olivia Lawson, Jane Lawrence and Katie Platts
Family Disco – DJ Kentastic
Father Christmas St Margaret’s On Location Team – John Glentworth, David Simcox, Abby Parness, Hayden Smith, Spencer Connelly, The Post Office Team
The Owl House Stables – Ponies Cindy & Lacy carefully led by Gracie, Harriet, Bev & Michelle
Village Hall, Tree & Decorations – The Village Hall Committee
Volunteers who did anything we asked including gritting the car park – Tracey & Geoff Purchase, Anita Luckett, Courtney
Mark Ball and his team of Police Cadets
PC Sophie Bramble
Kerry Skirrow, Community Warden
Village Christmas Decorations – Ross & Dan Purchase, George Simcox & Jack Claringbould
Photos – Phil Holyer & Ross Purchase
Organising and running round in pink high viz jackets on the day – The Parish Council & George ‘No Last Name Required’ Simcox