On 20^th of November 2009, after months of careful planning, the Christmas lights in the Pavilion Gardens and on the Bandstand were switched on by Arthur Bostrom, King Rat in this year’s Pantomime at the Opera House.

The event was started at 5pm on the Bandstand by Buxton’s very own Town Crier, Bill Weston MBE.

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First on the Bandstand was the choir from St Anne’s School in Buxton, followed by the presentation of prizes by Pauline Townsend for the children’s painting competition, sponsored by the High Peak Artists’ and Craft Workers’ Association and the Spring Gardens Shopping Centre.

Children from Combs Infants’ School and then Earl Sterndale Primary School sang carols, followed by High Peak Samba Band signalling the start of the procession.

While St Thomas Becket Parish Church Choir sang from the Bandstand, Gordon MacLellan led the magical lantern parade around the Pavilion Gardens, stopping only to collect Pantomime Star Arthur Bostrom from the Opera House on the way. Arthur joined Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Kaye and his Consort, and Rev John Hudghton, the Snow Queen and all her entourage as the lantern procession snaked its way around the Gardens to the Bandstand for the grand switch on of the lights.

Fairfield Brass Band followed the switch on with a selection of festive tunes, as visitors to the Gardens enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies and children yo

ung and old visited the funfair.

Thanks to the generosity of local people, over £400 was raised to be split between the Buxton Community First Responders and next year’s Christmas Lights fund.