Joy as Christmas comes back to Cobham

Oct 17 2009 By Rupert Basham

Christmas is returning to Cobham

CHRISTMAS will be brought back to Cobham this year after it was cancelled in 2008.

Sadly, the festivities last year were cancelled due to a lack of funds but the Chamber of Commerce are planning on bringing it back spectacularly with festive choirs, input from all retailers and lots of community spirit.

Residents were told about the plans at the latest half-yearly Cobham and Downside Residents Association meeting. The event takes place on Sunday November 29 with a Victorian theme meets the 21st Century as children will get to experience Santa in a very different way.

School children and scout groups have been encouraged to take part in lantern making for a festival light parade down the high street culminating in a community service at St Andrew's Church, in Downside Bridge Road, and there will be mince pies, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on offer.

Chairman Alistair Mann said: "The history of Cobham at Christmas could be likened to the good, the bad and the ugly. It started off well and was wonderful, then as the years went on a majority of youths saw it as an excuse for under-age drinking. It became quite ugly.

"Some of our members suffered more shop lifting in one night than they had in a whole year. Then there was last year when there just wasn't enough money."

It costs £5,000 just to put up and take down the Christmas lights, on top of all the other events. But now with more members and enough money in the pot the Chamber of Commerce hopes to see many residents out celebrating in support.

Mr Mann added: "We want this to be a real community event and we are hoping everybody will come into the village and enjoy it. We are hoping to energise this village."

Councillor David Tipping added: "This is for our high street, which like others is going through bad times at the moment. I do hope that all residents will support what the commerce is asking to achieve and I congratulate Alistair and his team for their efforts."