CHRISTMAS will officially begin in Farnham tomorrow (Saturday) with the Christmas lights being switched on in the Woolmead at 6pm. The magic button will be pressed by the town mayor, Carole Cockburn, assisted by Father Christmas and the winner of the Farnham Young Person of 2007 competition, Evie Ayres- Townshend. The town council has again organised the red and white scheme throughout the town, with additional new cross-street lights in Downing Street which have been contributed to by Farnham Chamber of Commerce and various businesses from Downing Street. The switch-on celebrations will begin at 4.30pm with an event that includes Christmas songs and carols by St Polycarp's School, St Peter's School, William Cobbett School, Hale County Primary School, The Farnham Rock Choir and The Salvation Army. Radio station 96.4 The Eagle will add to the music and fun and charity stalls, children's rides, games, candyfloss, burgers, sausages and hot drinks will all be available in East Street from 3pm. East Street will be closed to vehicles from 1 to 9pm and traffic will be re-directed round the back of the Woolmead. Farnham Town Council is, as ever, keen to promote the attractions of Farnham to Christmas shoppers. "Whether you have nearly finished your shopping or haven't even started it, Farnham can provide much inspiration," the council urged in a statement promoting the lights switch-on. Cath Sydenham, projects officer for the council, commented: "Many shoppers go to other towns to do their shopping, can't find what they want, come back to Farnham and find it here." On Thursday, December 13, the late night shopping event will see shops open until 8pm with festive music played by the Farnham Brass Band and two- metre high reindeer mingling with the shoppers, courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce and Farnham Town Council. As well as the 200 unique shops to choose from in Farnham this Christmas there are also markets galore over the lead up to Christmas. Full details of these can be found in the 'Christmas in Farnham' leaflet obtainable on the website http://www.farnham.gov.uk">www.farnham.gov.uk or from Farnham Town Council. And this Sunday the monthly farmers' market takes place in Central car park between 10am and 1.30pm, when stallholders will be selling seasonal specialities and Christmas trees and taking Christmas orders for collection at the next market on December 23. A tea tent will be run by the CAB who will provide shoppers with tea, coffee and cakes.
