Bishop of Durham Paul Butler the Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Councillor Joy Allen took great pleasure in officially opening the Town Council’s Countdown to Christmas Event in the Market Place on Friday 29th November with an estimated 1,500 people flocking to start the festive season.
Bishop Paul Butler blessed the event before Alex Winters from CBeebies hosted a range of performers and entertainment from the stage in the Market Place. Entertainment was provided by Connor Thomas, Innovations, Khalysis and the StarKidz Elves.
Visitors enjoyed delicious food from the Full Moon Street Food Market and attractions that were on offer including, children’s rides and a Santa’s grotto in St Anne’s Church.
The H.O.G. Geordie Chapter helped Santa find his way to the Market Place on the back of a Harley Davidson so he could switch on the Christmas Tree Lights and really get Bishop Auckland into the Christmas spirit.
The evening closed with Innovations on back on stage with Santa to perform a classic Christmas hit!
The Mayor, Joy Allen, said: “It was a great evening with lots going on and I was really pleased to see so many people enjoying themselves, the look on the children’s faces when Santa arrived by motorbike was priceless.”
The Mayor went on to thank people behind the scenes who made the event possible including, AH Events, St Anne’s Church, and Innovations.
Photography: John Alderson Photography
