One of Ellesmere’s oldest residents will be lighting up the town on Friday night, (Nov. 29) when she joins some of its youngest citizens for the official switch-on of the Christmas illuminations at the annual Winter Festival.
Ninety-two-year-old Trish Pritchard has been chosen to represent the Ellesmere League of Friends, which has been named as the 2024 local Community Champion, a year after celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Mrs Pritchard, a retired schoolteacher, was one of the League’s founders in 1973 when the town’s cottage hospital faced closure by the NHS.
It is estimated that the League has raised more than £2million over the past half century and is still raising money towards the upkeep of the 117-year old building in Trimpley Street, which now operates as the Our Space community hub that includes the library and day care centre.
Trish is still part of a volunteer team who run the League’s popular charity shop in nearby Scotland Street which uses some of its profits to provide grants to other local community groups.
“It’s a great honour to be switching on the Christmas lights,” she said. “I’ll be doing it on behalf of all our dedicated volunteers who work so hard for good causes in and around Ellesmere.”
It will be the first time that Trish has witnessed the ceremony which will be supported by pupils from Ellesmere primary school leading carol-singing in the town centre.
“I’ve missed it in previous years because I’ve always been working behind the counter in the shop,” she explained. “It will be lovely and very special for me to be there with the children.”
Alex Hunter, managing director of the Project SY12 community interest company which runs Ellesmere Market hall and organises the festival in partnership with local traders and organisations, said: “Our community is truly strengthened by the dedication of the League of Friends, who support our town in so many ways, both seen and unseen.”It’s an honour to recognise them as this year’s Winter Festival Community Champion.
“Having Trish, the oldest member of the League of Friends, join some of the youngest in our community to switch on the illuminations and the Tree of Light is a beautiful symbol of Ellesmere’s unity and the legacy of kindness they’re building for future generations.”
The illuminations switch-on at 6.15 pm will be followed by Father Christmas taking part in a lantern parade through the town centre to the market hall, organised by the Fizzgigs community arts group.
Other attractions include a ferris wheel on the Cross Street car park offering an aerial view of the bustling scene below.
Mr Hunter added: “This year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever and, based on previous years, we’re hoping for about 7,000 visitors during the afternoon and evening.
There will be more than 40 stalls in the market hall, with more lining Scotland Street, and most local shops and other businesses staying open late to offer a wide range of festive food, drink, artisan products and plenty of gift ideas.
“It promises to be a spectacular fun-filled evening for all the family to mark the start of the Christmas celebrations.”
Picture: Trish Pritchard, cutting the cake to mark the League of Friends’ 50th anniversary last year ( credit:Juliet Shone)
Ellesmere Winter Festival time-table, Friday, November 29
3.30pm Grotto and Christmas Market opens in the market hall.
5pm town centre roads close to traffic
5:45 – Santa takes a break to feed the reindeer.
6pm Ellesmere’s Community Champion and the Mayor join the school choir for carols around the Christmas tree.
6.15pm Countdown to the official switch-on of the town’s Christmas illuminations and the Tree of Light by Trish Pritchard, representing the League of Friends, Ellesmere’s 2024 Community Champion
6:30 Santa arrives at Ellesmere Wharf by boat
6:40 Santa joins the Fizzgigs lantern parade through town before heading back to the Grotto to see more children.
8:30pm the Christmas market closes and Santa returns home
9pm roads re-open
