The Canford Heath Christmas Light switch-on and Lantern Parade happened on Friday 2nd December. The event started at 5pm in the Neighbourhood Centre outside ASDA with mulled wine and mince pies (courtesy of Nicholas O’Hara). The Poole Borough Brass band were there along with Santa, who was roaming around. In addition there was a free balloon modeller, a chance to have your photo taken with Elf (courtesy of ASDA) and some carol singers too plus a visit from Miss Diamond Dorset. 

The parade then took place with the walk up to Adastral Square and included an entourage of pantomime performers and some elves.

Arriving in Adastral Square for 6pm, there was another Lights Switch-on event of the Community Christmas Tree (kindly sponsored by the Pilot Pub and WeCutAnyHedge.Com ) followed by more entertainment including our favourite DJ Adrian Boyd. There was also a free Face painter, Santa, stalls, refreshments,  Gingerbread people decorating (Magna students), Make a Gift Box (Craft Bliss), Make a Lantern (Beacon Church),  Christmas cocktails/Mulled wine (Donkey Box-Pilot Pub), Hot Chocolate and sweet treats (Lounge One) and a Tombola (ARCH).  In addition,  inside the Community Centre there were glitter tattoos and a teddy tombola as well as Santa’s grotto (for those who had pre-booked) as well as First Aid provision.

This event has been put together by hard working volunteers in your community including members of ARCH, the Community Centre, Beacon Church and the Pilot Pub plus our local Councillors Sandra Moore and Sean Gabriel and many others and the event was funded through our own various fundraising exploits. 

The build up started, with the installation and decoration of the Christmas tree in Adastral Square.This turned out to be a fantastic event as you can see from the Photo gallery below.