VIKING wrestler Astrid is used to lighting up the ring – now she has illuminated a whole town!
Petersfield’s Personality of the Year, also known as Katy Askem, shared the honour of switching on its Christmas lights display with town mayor Cllr Lesley Farrow last Friday evening.
Although Astrid’s character is around 1,000-years-old, the ceremony was right up to date. The lights were turned on by touching an app on a mobile phone screen.
Before the big moment in The Square, children and adults enjoyed festive craft fun by decorating Petersfield Library for Christmas.
There were plenty of colourful characters around but the brightest of all was David Weeks, who donned a sparkling red suit to be a high-profile bucket carrier for the mayor’s charity collection.
Shops in Petersfield stayed open until 8pm to attract extra custom from the crowds, who were entertained with carols and festive songs by children from Petersfield Infant School and Herne Junior School, a band from The Petersfield School, the Rock Choir and The Salvation Army Band.
After the lights were turned on, actors from the Winton Players’ pantomime Cinderella took their turn to star on the stage.
There were also fairground rides for children and street entertainers.
Petersfield Town Council has provided the lights, backed by Hometown Festivals and other firms from the town.