Huddersfield Christmas lights switch on - picture gallery and report

Nov 19 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LITTLE Katie Pearson got the festive season under way in Huddersfield last night.

The six-year-old from Hove Edge near Brighouse turned on the Christmas lights in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 in the town centre.

Katie, who goes to St Chad’s Primary School in Brighouse, won the chance to switch on the lights after entering a drawing competition run by Huddersfield Town.

She was joined on stage last night outside Huddersfield Library by Town legend Andy Booth and current players Alex Smithies and Tom and Nathan Clarke.

Huddersfield Giants Keith Mason and Larne Patrick and DJ Paul Clark were also on stage for the switch-on at 6.30pm yesterday.

Paul Holmes, 27, from Dalton, was at the event with his wife Rebecca, 24, and their children Mason, 1, and four-year-old Ruby.

Paul said: “I thought it was good. We’ve been coming here every year for the last five years, there’s a good atmosphere, with everyone looking forward to Christmas.”

Holmfirth woman Shelley Armitage, 29, was also at last night’s event.

She said: “This is the first time I’ve ever been, I came down with a friend of mine who has a child. I thought it was good.”