The Christmas lights will be switched on in Beccles tonight and the event also marks the launch of the Beccles and Bungay Journal’s exclusive Christmas cards.
The event will kick off at 5.30pm, with the lights switched on at 6pm by Beccles mayor Hugh Taylor and the cast of the town’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.
The fun will continue throughout the evening with performances on the main stage from Tom Elgie, Beccles Community Choir, Bellatonic, Cinnamon Tea and Beccles Rock Choir, along with a few surprise acts. There will also be street entertainment including the lively Suffolk School of Samba.
For the children there will be rides, reindeer and the chance to meet Santa in his grotto in the church tower, while the parents can do a bit of Christmas shopping with many shops staying open late, as well as stalls selling festive gifts, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
The Beccles and Bungay Journal team will also be running a stall in the town centre, where our Christmas cards will be available. For just £1 you can buy one of our goody bags containing a copy of today’s Beccles and Bungay Journal and Eastern Daily Press, along with chocolate, crisps, water and a packet of our Christmas cards. The cards feature scenes of Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Loddon taken by Journal photographer Nick Butcher, along with a photo from our reader winner Keith Kerrison and student winner Katey Oven.
After that the Christmas cards will be available from our office in Blyburgate, Beccles. You will receive a free pack of cards with every copy of the Journal bought from our office.
Running alongside the switch on is the Hungate Church Christmas Tree Festival, with the tree lights being switched on at 6.15pm. There will also be a Skate Fete in Blyburgate Hall and a live music open mic evening at the Public Hall.
Parking will be free in all Waveney District Council car parks from 4pm.
The Beccles Christmas Tree Trail also launches tonight, with 58 businesses displaying trees in their windows. This year’s prize is a VIP family ticket to see Jack and the Beanstalk at Beccles Public Hall and trail leaflets are available at Beccles Town Hall or any business with a tree including the Beccles and Bungay Journal office.
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