Countdown to Christmas under way at Forfar

Provost hails ‘wonderful start’ to festivities in Angus town

Published:

HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Cross at Forfar last night for the Christmas lights switch-on.

Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville was joined by 1980s pop star David Van Day for the annual event, which was organised by Forfar Rotary Club.

Mr Van Day, who will play Abanazar in the pantomime Aladdin at the Webster Theatre at Arbroath, first found fame as a singer with Guys ’n’ Dolls and appeared on reality TV show I’m a Celebrity . . . Get me out of here last year.

Carol music was performed by a local brass band, while Santa and his helpers met some of the local children.

The light switch-on had been subject to considerable speculation after a series of problems with the Christmas lights last year.

People in the town were left disappointed with substandard lighting displays and a poorly-decorated tree.

Mrs Melville last night said between 300 and 400 people had turned out to see this year’s festive lights go on, and described the event as a “wonderful start” to the Christmas countdown.

She said: “It was absolutely wonderful.

“The weather was wonderful, the turnout was astonishing, with a great number of children there.

“The music was fantastic, with the crowd singing carols. It was a happy, wonderful start to the festive season.”