Bradford Christmas Lights, 15 Nov 2007

[richnorri]

Hello everybody!

This is from the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

Antony heads switch-on extravaganza

By Jo Winrow

A line-up of local bands and singing stars will help to light up Bradford for Christmas next week.

Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, will do the official switch on with lots more helping to make the night go with a swing.

Former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman, who played Craig Harris and won Soapstar Superstar the year before Antony, will also appear at the event.

Classical group All Angels will also be performing next Thursday in Centenary Square.

Two local bands - The Touch and White Light Parade, who took part in this year's Bingley Music Live festival - will take the opportunity to entertain the crowds at this family event.

The Touch have been together for five years and have taken part in a number of UK tours and a tour of America.

White Light Parade are releasing their debut single on December 3 and will be touring to promote the single.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture, said: "It promises to be a hugely entertaining event in front of what I'm sure will again be a very large crowd.

"Having the opportunity for local bands to perform alongside a number of more widely known artists is great for Bradford and the district."

Richard

[dazza]

Hi Richard,

Thanks a lot for the information. Bradford as well as Sheffield now.

The lucky people of Bradford and Sheffield.

If All Angels attended one a little closer I would consider going along.

They should come to the Newcastle-under-Lyme or Stoke-on-Trent Christmas light switch on. ;D

Dazza

[richnorri]

More from the Bradford Telegraph & Argus...

City centre gets all spruced up!
By Jo Winrow


A workman puts the lights on a tree in
Centenary Square

Four sky-high Christmas trees have gone up around Bradford city centre in readiness for Thursday's big lights switch-on.

The spruces, which are located in Centenary Square, Bank Street and Darley Street, were put in place today and have been adorned with new strings of LEDs which have about 2,500 twinkling lights and run down the trees.

A further five smaller trees will be delivered next week to be placed in strategic points across the district.

The trees, which have come from the Kielder Forest in Northumbria, cost about £600 each.

Coronation Street actor and chat show host Antony Cotton is to flick the switch at 7pm on Thursday to illuminate about 70 sets of lights hung above the city's roads and about 30 lights attached to lamp posts.

The singing soapstar will be joined by former colleague Richard Fleeshman, who played Craig Harris in the soap.

Other musical talent at the event will be classical group All Angels and two local bands The Touch and White Light Parade.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens, will also be joining in the festivities, which begin at 5.30pm in Centenary Square with Pulse breakfast presenter Darren Kelly hosting the show.

Last year the civic trees came under fire because of their poor state which was blamed on wind and rain.

Richard

[dazza]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the article.

Dazza

[richnorri]

Here's another article from the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

Actor Andy to do big switch-on
By Jo Winrow


Andy Whyment

Christmas in Bradford will arrive tonight when Coronation Street star Andy Whyment switches on the Christmas lights.

Soap star Andy, who plays Kirk Sutherland in the television programme, said he was "over the moon" at the prospect of crossing the Pennines to flick the all-important switch.

His Corrie co-star Antony Cotton was due to turn them on, but had to cancel because of filming commitments.

Andy, who also played Darren in The Royle Family, said: "I am really looking forward to coming to Yorkshire to see the people of Bradford and see it as a great honour to be asked to turn on the Christmas lights."

Former Coronation Street actor Richard Fleeshman, who played Craig Harries, will still be performing at the event.

Classical group All Angels will also take to the stage alongside local bands The Touch and White Light Parade.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment and culture, said: "The Christmas lights switch-on is always a great event and popular with people of all ages.

"This year promises to be filled with fun and entertainment and gives people the chance to get into the festive spirit."

The event starts at 5.30pm in Centenary Square with the switch-on at 7pm.

Richard

[dazza]

Thanks Richard,

The Bradford Telegraph & Argus seem to be giving this event a lot of attention.

Hopefully they will have a nice report and some pictures of the girls over the next day or so.

Dazza

[richnorri]

Hello Dazza and everybody!

The Bradford Telegraph & Argus has a report today.

Christmas lights switched on!
By James Rush

The lights illuminate City Hall

A spectacular fireworks display lit up Bradford city centre as thousands gathered to witness the big Christmas lights switch-on tonight.

The illuminating event was witnessed by a packed Centenary Square, treated to performances from soap star Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street, and his former co-star Richard Fleeshman, winner of hit television show Soapstar Superstar.

They were joined on stage by classical female vocal group All Angels, members of Bradford City FC and Bradford Bulls mascot Bullman.

Andy, who also played Darren in The Royle Family, got the crowd going as he belted out an impressive version of Mustang Sally while Richard performed new tracks from his forthcoming album.

All Angels, billed as the "biggest female classical vocal group in the world", serenaded the audience with a moving performance which included Simon and Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence and Christmas favourite Silent Night.

Lorraine Grafton, 52, and Kevin Taylor, 41, were among the crowd.

Mrs Grafton, of Wibsey, said: "The best things were Richard Fleeshman and the fireworks. This is the first time we have been. We saw it advertised, it was a convenient night and we are glad we came."

Meanwhile Kath Lygo, 55, witnessed the event with her grandchildren, friend Philomena and her two children Francesca and Luke.

Richard

[dazza]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for posting the article.

No pictures of All Angels...yet (hopefully).

Dazza