Harry Redknapp to light up town's Christmas switch-on
FOOTBALL legend and I’m a Celebrity winner Harry Redknapp will be switching on the Christmas lights in Fordingbridge this year.
The former Saints and Portsmouth manager, who has a home in Poole, will be the big name at the festive illuminations event in the town later this month.
The event will kick off with the arrival of Santa Claus drawn by heavy horse in a procession of elves and land locomotive Trigger the Train. There will be street performers, live music, activities and steam rides across the bridge.
Nicky Jenkins, chair of organiser the Fordingbridge Events Group, said: “We have used the proceeds from the Fordingbridge Festival to put on a Christmas community event to remember.
“The night looks like it will be a tremendous success and we are still planning extra activities. We are thrilled to bits that Harry Redknapp can take time out of his schedule to come and turn the lights on. It’s going to be amazing.”
She added: “We are trying to encourage people coming to the town for Christmas in Fordingbridge to use our shops and cafes for food and drink during the evening. In addition to this, there will be refreshments spots around town.”
Residents are being asked again this year to nominate their local hero by emailing fordingbridgeevents@gmail.com or posting to the Avonway Community Centre marked Fordingbridge Events Group Local Hero. The closing date for nominations is 12th November.
A What’s Not for Sale competition will also run for people to spot out-of-place items in shop windows, until the end of December. Entry forms will be available from 30th November from The Gourmet Grocer, The Fordingbridge Bookshop, Caxtons, Fordingbridge Tourist Info Office and Created by You.
The Christmas lights switch-on will be on Saturday 30th November between 4pm and 8pm.
The procession will travel at about 4.15pm from Salisbury Street to Santa’s Grotto at Avonway Community Centre via the high street.
The local hero winner will be announced at 6pm before Mr Redknapp switches on the lights between 6.30pm and 7pm.
Find out more at www.fordingbridgeevents.com.
