Dianne adds the sparkle as Sale Moor lights up for Christmas

[dropcap type ”circles””]Christmas has officially started  in Sale Moor  with the switching on of the village lights last night.

Dianne Oxberry, the BBC presenter, told the hundreds of people gathered for the ceremony she was proud of the community, who dug deep to fund the lights.

‘It is a true celebration of this community – you have proven that you can do anything that you put your mind to….this makes a difference to everyone who drives through Sale Moor. Everyone will get the magic sparkle of Christmas this year..” Dianne told the cheering crowd, at the Warrener Street car park ceremony.

“This is the gift that keeps on giving..because other people will follow your lead,” said Dianne.

A last minute power cut threatened to put the celebrations on hold, but many of the lights were shining through.  “Last year the Council withdrew funding and it was literally a dark time for the entire village. This year  we were facing a bleak Christmas again, but we were determined that Sale Moor would have its lights back, so we launched a crowdfunding appeal and everyone responded.Its been quite an amazing few weeks,” said Anna Bond from  the We Are Sale Moor Group.

And the Borough’s Mayor of Trafford, Judith Lloyd, paid a special tribute to the people of Sale Moor. She said:”I think you have done an amazing thing. You have brought back the spirit of Christmas, and we are so much the better for it.”

The Appeal raised £4,000 – enough money to cover the hire of lights and to also have some spectacular effects by lighting the trees around the village.

The crowds were treated to a taste of Christmas with mince pies, mulled wine and traditional carols with a band from the Salvation Army and a special visit from Santa.