Making Galashiels sparkle for Santa

Following years of Christmas chaos, where lights were just switched on a random times and no-one really knew what was going on, plans were put in place to give the town’s kids something to remember.

A massive fundraising drive, headed up by local man Bill Jeffrey walking the entire length of the Southern Upland Way, and bolstered by many events organised by the Christmas lights subgroup, and a £15,000 boost from the Localities Bid Fund allowed the team to really push the boat out.

The extra cash saw new lights, a Christmas market in Bank Street Gardens, performances from Langlee Choir, Galashiels Town Band, the Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band (helped by Santa himself) and a Little Mix tribute band called Little Chix – who pressed the big black button to turn on the lights.

With Bank Street closed off for the day, there was also an alpaca petting zoo, facepainting and a magician making balloon animals.

One of the organisers, Pamela Kelly, said: “It’s all paid off in the end. We had to do something to make it more kid-friendly and more about families and I hope we’ve done the town proud.

“We’re hoping to do it bigger and better again next year.”