Christmas Tree Lighting 2017
This year’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony took place on Friday 8th December. It followed our traditional format with trees, supplied by the Community Council, in three locations. A change this year was that a brass quintet had been hired to play in Morganstown prior to the lighting of the tree there at 6:00pm. The tree in Lychgate Gardens was also lit at 6:00pm where pupils from both Radyr and Bryn Deri Primary Schools sang carols conducted by Peter Esswood. Then on to the tree in Windsor Gardens where the choirs and the brass band joined forces to sing more carols whilst that tree was lit around 6:45pm.
We then all crossed to Station Road where the trees (provided by the R&M Association) above the shops (many of them open late) were shini
ng brightly and colourful stalls had been set up selling all sorts of goodies. The Association was busy at the barbeque and also at the mulled wine stall, a beautiful aroma arising from both in the chilly air. Ladies from Radyr & Morganstown WI were also dispensing teas and coffees to ward off the chill. Attendance was high despite the chilly conditions and there was a bit of a hush to allow Aled Powys Williams, Classical Brit Award Winner and former member of Only Men Aloud to turn on the main Station Road lights. The Festival Queen and her attendants were there to lend a hand. He announced the arrival of Santa and then treated the crowds to a few carols of his own. On cue, the snow began to fall…
A great evening was had by all. Many thanks to Aled Powys Williams for switching on the lights in Station Road and the Primary School choirs for entertaining us. Thanks go to Chris Dale for providing the music, Peter Esswood for leading the choirs, St John’s Ambulance for looking after us, the police for making sure everyone behaved themselves, and to all the many helpers who made the evening such a success, especially those who were out in freezing conditions for six hours setting everything up and putting everything away after everyone else had gone home!
We should mention that the Association’s Charity for the year, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, were well represented with a busy stall and bucket collectors. We know they raised a good amount of money and many of the stallholders made contributions as well. We have also heard that the Radyr Comprehensive School sixth form team enterprise has raised an amazing £1530.55 for the Charity. Well done and congratulations to everyone.