Christmas Lights Return - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Christmas Lights Return – WESTCLIFF’s grand shopping parade was lit up with Christmas cheer, as the road welcomed back Christmas streetlighting after five years.

Christmas Lights Return - WESTCLIFF’s grand shopping parade was lit up with Christmas cheer, as the road welcomed back Christmas streetlighting after five years.

WESTCLIFF’s grand shopping parade was lit up with Christmas cheer, as the road welcomed back Christmas streetlighting after five years.

Many residents came out in the crisp weather to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere on Hamlet Court Road as performances from choirs and musicians complemented the much-anticipated Festive Friday.

The return of lights of the 28 street lamps along the road came after a concerted effort and campaign from local initiative Hamlet Court Calling, created to foster community pride and collaboration to the road one called Southend’s ‘Bond Street”.

The Victorian road, now listed in the Conservation Area, is famed for independent businesses, pubs and cafes, and the initiative aims to galvanise the unique spirit and qualities for the good of its residents.

For Festive Friday, Traders along Hamlet Court Road opened late, with Craft Beer pub Mile & A Third offering Christmas beers and festive DJing, The Haven offering arts and crafts activates, and cafes like the newly-opened Be My Guest dishing out tasty samples of their food.

MP for Southend East Bayo Alaba joined in the festive fun, alongside councillors Sam Allen and Maxine Sadza, “Elf on the Shelf’, and a host of singers and musicians.

Andy Atkinson, Milton Society chair and member of Hamlet Court Calling, said: “Wow! What a lovely festive feel there was on Hamlet Court Road on Friday, November 22 to celebrate the return of Christmas lights after so many years.

“Thank you to our brilliant businesses, musicians, The Haven Community Hub choir and everyone who came along, including our local MP Bayo Alaba and councillors Sam Allen and Maxine Sadza –and of course that cheeky Elf!

“It was great to see our community out enjoying the road and the (fake) snow.”

Hamlet Court Calling was also able to ensure the return of the lights thanks to a company supplying them, and several large private donations.

They are still, however, fundraising to pay off the final instalment of the lights.

Mr Atkinson added: “We’re still appealing as we have the last instalment left to pay on the lights, but this evening’s made it all feel well worth it.

“It’s about doing something that benefits both businesses and residents and it has been great to see the road busy and bustling.”

Hamlet Court Road’s Christmas lights will be up until early January.

To help organisers cover the costs, donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Light-Up-Hamlet-Court-Road.

Picture: MP Bayo Alaba at Festive Friday.

REPORT BY SOPHIE SLEIGH-JOHNSON

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