Member Article

Family favourites ignite festive spirit in Cramlington

FILM favourites from Ice Age and Frozen have kicked off a calendar of festive events as Cramlington hosted its annual Christmas Light Switch On event this weekend.

Hosted by Radio Northumberland in partnership with Cramlington Town Council, Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure and Active Northumberland the event held on Saturday (22 November 2014) saw Sid and Scrat from Ice Age and the Disney princesses and Olaf the Snowman from Frozen switch on the lights at Cramlington Town Square.

Visitors to the event sampled festive food and drink, enjoyed a glowing lantern display and listened to music from performers Joe Allan, Louise McCall and Northburn Primary School Steelband.

Amongst the characters switching on the lights was Janis Thompson, winner of the Christmas competition held by Cramlington Town Council, Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure and Active Northumberland. Janis’ prize also included gift vouchers worth £100 to spend at Manor Walks as well as a selection of family experiences.

Cramlington-born Janis Thompson said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out I had won the Christmas competition and all of the wonderful prizes on offer.

“The whole event was fantastic with a great turnout and a warm and friendly atmosphere. It was a wonderful day out with my three-year-old son Lewis, who especially loved playing with the snow in the giant igloo.

“The vouchers will definitely help with Christmas approaching and my husband and I have already planned this weekend to visit Vue Cramlington, followed by a meal at Frankie and Benny’s and a tasty breakfast at The Clerk of Cramlington on Sunday morning.”

Throughout the remainder of November and December visitors at Manor Walks can enjoy further festive events, starting on Sunday 30 November 2014 with the arrival of Santa’s reindeers and the cast of pantomime Sleeping Beauty, running at the Phoenix Theatre.

Visitors can also look forward to hearing Christmas classics from The Salvation Army Choir on Sunday 7 December, Wednesday 10 December and Saturday 20 December 2014 from 10am until 12pm. Krafty Kidz can rustle up festive crafts with Paddington Bear from 11am until 2pm on Sunday 14 December, held in partnership with Vue Cinemas and L3VEL Crafters in aid of the Bubble Foundation RVI.

Ann Mitcheson from Cramlington Town Council said: “The Christmas Light Switch on was a magical and exciting event that truly welcomed Christmas to Cramlington. We hope all that attended thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and festivities that took place.”

Manor Walks’ general manager Bruno Coppola added: “This year’s Christmas Light Switch On once again welcomed a fantastic crowd to the Town Square and I’d like to thank Cramlington Town Council, Active Northumberland and Radio Northumberland for their hard work in making this event a success.

“We hope visitors enjoyed the range of exciting family fun on offer, and we look forward to hosting an exciting calendar of events lined up designed to excite and enchant our visitors to the centre throughout the remainder of 2014.”

With over 100 retailers including Northumberland’s only multiplex cinema and a great range of family restaurants as well as high street favourites and independent stores, Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure in Cramlington offers a huge amount of choice.

To keep up-to-date on all of the Manor Walks Christmas events visit the official Facebook page, follow @ManorWalks on Twitter and Instagram or visit www.manorwalks.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure .