Time to glow… (From Wiltshire Times)

Time to glow…

11:55am Friday 9th December 2005 in Corsham By David Giles

FESTIVE spirit swept into Corsham on Friday as the town's Christmas lights were switched on.

Ten-year-old Chloe Beasley flicked the switch on Friday after winning a Christmas card competition organised by the Pound Arts Centre.

Young actors also put on a show for more than 1,000 people who braved the pouring rain for the event.

Chloe said: "I felt excited on Friday but it was really embarrassing. There were so many people there when I turned the lights on.

"I designed the card at school in November and it took a long time to do.

"My teacher said that I had become a bit of a celebrity."

Mum Chrissy Hulbert said: "It was good fun but we were very nervous because of all the excitement and the people there.

"We have been living in Corsham for six years and it was the first time that we have all been to watch the Christmas lights being switched on.

"It was really good fun and the town looks very nice."

Ian Martin, general manager at the Pound Arts Centre who organised the competition, said it was a great success. He said: "The winning card was a design of Santa Claus delivering presents around Corsham.

"More than 200 children from the local schools entered and the standard was very high.

"We also had actors from the ActNow youth theatre group performing outside the town hall on Friday."

Corsham Town Council chairman Jock Fraser said: "We had a large crowd and it went very well, considering the weather.

"There was a bazaar in the town hall which we hold every year.

"The town looks very nice and it is always a good event when the lights are switched on."