Hundreds of people gathered in Acton for the switching on of the Your Acton BID‘s Christmas lights which featured a giant Santa on The Mount.
The switching on event was part of the overall lighting up of Acton which includes light installations around the town centre this Christmas for businesses and residents of Acton.
As well as Santa on The Mount, there are also Christmas guards and prelite Christmas trees on Churchfield Road and The Vale.
The special event, saw Mayor of Ealing Councillor Hitesh Tailor officially switch the lights on and take part in the overall proceedings which including local performers entertaining visitors.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS on the night, Councillor Tailor who also represents the East Acton ward said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here and to turn on the Christmas lights this year. as not just Major of Ealing but as obviously as a Mayor that has come from Acton as well. So it’s really quite special to be able to do that.”
He added: “This brings people out with festive joy. People get on nicely with each other and are happy to join in the celebrations together.I think it cheers people up when they see things so colourful and so lighted here.”
Performers included pupils from Ark Priory Primary School singing Christmas carols, the Walton Performing Arts Academy (WPAA) Youth Theatre students, Molly Young and Isla Bickmore performing an acoustic rendition of Underneath The Tree.
Isla said: “I was extremely nervous during the first few seconds of performing, but after a while it became fun and enjoyable. There was lots of people watching by the stage and even passers-by stopping to watch for a few minutes. Meeting the mayor was an honour, and he was very nice. I am so happy I did this and performed with the mayor watching.”
Molly added: “Even though I was very nervous, I loved performing at the lights switch-on. The icing on the cake was meeting the mayor and watching him illuminate the market.”
Commenting on performing at the event, Adlyn Walton, principal commented: “Isla and Molly performed brilliantly and were so professional when meeting the Mayor. As we’re in the midst of rehearsals for our upcoming short-film, the girls have had little time to prepare for this event however, they absolutely smashed it! Proud teacher moment.”
Other performers came from Luna Academy and Cody Studios who danced for the locals watching while the event finished with Elevate Arts UK.
Music for the event was provided by The Aeronaut pub.
A special market also took place in conjunction with Action West London. Your Acton BID businesses and organisations participated including City Harvest, ActOne Cinema, The Coffee House, George and Dragon and The Aeronaut pub.
