Communities got together for a Christmas celebration.
Residents in Meltham and Marsden both gathered in their town centres to get into the festive spirit and see the town’s lights switched on.
In Meltham the fun got underway during the day with stalls and entertainment at the church hall.
Children could have a ride on a festive donkey and visit Father Christmas’s grotto. There was even a Santa Dash.
Ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on, residents packed St Bartholomew’s Church to hear a massed choir sing.
The children of Meltham Moor, Meltham Church of England and Helme School were pitch perfect as they opened their choral piece with the Holly and the Ivy and ended with a rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Parents and residents who packed the church pews joined in the singalong.
Enjoying the day out were grandparents Eileen and Anthony Hutchinson and their grandson Joseph, seven.
Eileen said: “It’s nice to see so many people here and supporting our local causes.
“Seeing the faces of children so excited is very special and I’m glad the church is involved so tradition plays a big part on the event.”
Then they all gathered outside the church for the big switch on.
And there was an impressive line-up for the big occasion.
Huddersfield Giants prop Eorl Crabtree led the way with Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Martyn Bolt, Mayor of Meltham Clr Terry Lyons and very two special guests.
They were Meltham CE pupils Isaac Travis and Abigail Hancock who both won a drawing competition to switch the town’s lights on.
After illuminating the town, snow – of the man-made variety – began to fall to give the churchyard that picture perfect Christmas look.
Clr Bolt, who watched the children sing and even joined in a few songs too, said: “This is the fourth lights switch-on I’ve been to as Mayor and they’re great events.
“It’s nice to be invited and to see communities at their best.”
Giants start Eorl said: “I live in Meltham and am a Huddersfield lad so I get asked to switch on Christmas lights in a few places.
“I started the Meltham Santa Dash before the lights switch on.
“And they’re both events that get the community together – it’s a tradition that needs to carry on.”
And the Giants forward was in demand, for after illuminating Meltham he hopped over to Marsden to kick-start the town’s countdown to Christmas there.
There were plenty of events in Marsden to get its residents in the festive spirit.
Bellydancers started the fun in the Mechanics Hall followed by children from Marsden infant and junior schools singing carols and festive songs ahead of the lights switch-on.
