OWNER of the most Christmassy house in Farnham, Gail Whattingham, will have the honour of switching on the town’s Christmas lights this evening, having been nominated by Herald readers.

The Herald, in partnership with the town council, appealed for nominations for an unsung community hero to turn on Farnham‘s lights - and we were overwhelmed by the response!

We received hundreds of suggestions by email, phone, Facebook and Twitter - with nominations pouring in for everyone from postmen to charity volunteers, choir directors, dedicated councillors and countless other community heroes.

There were, however, two clear front-runners: co-organiser of the Farnham Soapbox derby, Lee Moran, who is sadly unavailable, and owner of the Farnham Christmas Lights House in Greenfield Road, Gail Whattingham.

And so this evening Gail will have the honour of kick-starting Christmas in Farnham; having lit up her own house National Lampoon-style since the 1980s, raising tens of thousands of pounds for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and other charities.

Gail is also an active member of the Farnham Sports Council, instigating the Herald’s Have a Heart campaign to fund a life-saving defibrillator in Farnham Park, and of the Wrecclesham community, where she helped revive the Wrecclesham Village Fete.

The big switch-on will take place at 4.30pm, complementing an afternoon of music, entertainment, fairground rides and food stalls in Gostrey Meadow.

Councillor Alan Earwaker, lead member for tourism and events at Farnham Town Council, said: “We promise a glittering afternoon of family fun at our Christmas party in the town centre this year.

“Whatever you love about Christmas, we have it covered: we have performances from schools and theatre groups, fantastic food and drink stalls, plus – and most importantly – Santa will be in his grotto ready to hear children’s Christmas wishes.”

A full guide to what’s happening at the Christmas lights switch-on is available at www. farnham.gov.uk .

“This year we are lucky to have three local businesses, Durham House Chiropractic Clinic, Personnel Selection and Bourne Wood Manor Care Home, generously supporting the switch-on as gold sponsors so it is set to be a really fun afternoon,” added Cllr Earwaker.

This year’s switch-on will also feature a big screen, ensuring little ones don’t miss out on the action.