BEACON Hill Light Brigade charged into action last Sunday and ensured the popular Christmas switch on was a dazzling event.

As always, it was the youngest pupil at Beacon Hill Primary School, George Smith, who did the honours of pressing the button ably assisted by the Mayor of Haslemere Melanie Odell. The festivities included a Christmas market with more than 15 stalls mounted by shopkeepers and charities.

It was the first event to be organised by the new Beacon Hill Light Brigade committee.

Chairman Brian Walsh said: “It was very good day and well-supported by the village despite the blustery weather. It’s really good to be able to put something back into the village.

““We had a good meeting at the start of the year and now have a new younger committee. We plan to have a competition for schools to design the best arrangement that we could do as an additional static display next year.

“We are focused on getting a more co-ordinated approach with village shops to promote local businesses. Sue Thwaites from the butchers organised this year’s stalls in a joint venture that meant there were more. We also had the Brownies, the Guides and the church hall involved.”