TEDDINGTON LIGHTS UP WELCOMES CHRISTMAS
Thousands of people including hundreds of kids turned out early this evening for the biggest ever Teddington Lights Up event organised by the volunteer group Teddington Together.
High Street, Church Road and the Causeway were closed off as many of the stores stayed open late offering bubbles and mulled wine. The 18 piece Elastic Band performed outside Sims opticians.
Richmond’s Deputy Mayor Clare Vollum performed the official lights up ceremony on the 25ft tree outside the Post Office with local MP Munira Wilson, who described the Teddington Lights Up event as the ‘best in the borough.’
Park Lane Stables set up a base at the newly opened Elleray Centre with long queues forming for a ride on Princess, Trigger and Reggie.
There were craft and gift stalls as well a Lucky Horseshoe stall and a choir from the local charity RUILS performed in the impressive new hall.
The new community-owned pub The Lion in Wick Road was enjoying a roaring trade their pop up gazebo bar in The Causeway where the German Sausage Grill was doing a sizzling trade.
A spokesperson for Teddington Together said: “We would like to thank every business that took part and everyone that turned up to support the event and to everyone that donated to the crowdfunding, every choir that gave up there time and every band also, without you all we couldn’t run this event, special thanks to our incredible team of volunteers and to the Rotary Club for there help.
“A special thanks to all our sponsors who so generously contributed to this year’s event and big thanks to our new security team Blue Light Security and the Police for their presence.
“We’ve had so much positive feedback this year. It really means a lot to all of us who worked so hard. “
Organisers are already looking at next year and hope to close off Elmfield Avenue for Lights Up in 2026.