What a spectacle. Can any city in the world be more Christmassy? Photograph: Richard McDougall
Excited children, happy parents, brass bands, choirs and panto stars came together to officially launch York’s Christmas on Thursday (November 17).
A large crowd gathered in St Helen’s Square in front of the large tree donated by St Leonard’s Hospice as part of its ‘Light up a Life’ campaign.
The Shepherd Group’s brass band serenaded everyone with traditional carols.
Award-winning BBC Radio York breakfast show presenter Georgey Spanswick was the host. She brought onto the stage in front of the tree the Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Taylor, Lady Mayoress Susan Ridley, and York Theatre Royal panto stars Hermione Lynch and AJ Powell.
After a brief chat, the countdown began. The switch was thrown and the square was light up with Christmas lights.
Then it was time for a trip round St Nicholas Fair, which also sees the return of Thor’s Tipi where friends and family can sit on cosy furs around a roaring fire, Scandinavian style.
The switched on team. Left to right: Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Taylor, Lady Mayoress Susan Ridley, BBC Radio York breakfast show presenter Georgey Spanswick, and York Theatre Royal panto stars Hermione Lynch and AJ PowellThe Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Taylor and Lady Mayoress Susan Ridley interviewed before the switch onTis the season to be sparklyLit up and beautiful, St Helen’s Square in YorkThe lights over StonegateYork’s Parliament Street tree with Shambles Market behindSingers from Lucy McLean’s Pop Choir treat the crowds to Christmas songsSinging up a storm in front of the Parliament Street treeA view from Shambles Market of the lightsThe city was buzzingWinter wonderlandBrisk trade at St Nicholas FairShoppers throng Parliament StreetBusiness is already good for one of the stallholders at the St Nicholas FairThe popular Thor’s Tipi, back for a second yearThe funfair lit up in King’s Square
