CHRISTMAS trees will glitter and glisten as the countdown to December 25 begins in earnest.
Rose Hill is set to sparkle on Saturday when 900 metres of fairy lights are turned on in The Oval at the start of the Oxford estate’s now-traditional festive community event.
Community worker Fran Gardner said: “Our light switch-on has become a tradition in Rose Hill.
“Although everyone in our community celebrates Christmas in different ways, this time of year is perfect for people of all cultures to come together with family and friends, to celebrate, socialise and have fun.”
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A team-of-four has been preparing for the Christmas event for the last three months after £3,000 was awarded by housing group GreenSquare’s Big Lottery Fund grant.
Father Christmas will stop by with his elves to spread the festive cheer before switching on the lights at 5pm with chairwoman of the GreenSquare board Hilary Gardner.
Festivities will then continue at Rose Hill’s community centre, where families will have the chance to get into the spirit with carol singing and music.
- Fran Gardner
Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani chefs will also cook up treats for visitors at the event’s international food festival.
Ms Gardner said: “It’s not necessarily about celebrating Christmas but about the lights, the food and being with friends and family.
“It’s important for Rose Hill because it’s a wonderful way to bring the community together.
“To see the trees on The Oval lit with hundreds and hundreds of lights is a joyous event and it’s wonderful for the children to experience.”
Organisers are hoping this year’s festive event will be the biggest yet after more than 500 people joined in last year.
Ms Gardner said the Thames Valley branch of food supply organisation FareShare has donated about 200 kilos of chocolate for youngsters to enjoy during the evening.
The Christmas event, which costs 50p to enter, is supported by cherry picker hire company 2 Cousins Powered Access, maintenance and repair service DW Contractors and electrical contractor SSE Contracting.
- For more information visit Rose Hill’s Facebook page – facebook.com/RoseHillRP
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