ON SATURDAY, Woodley town centre is expected to be packed out for the annual Christmas light switch-on.
Six talented youngsters who won the annual contest to design a poster for the Winter Extravaganza, which takes place on Sunday, December 1, will be pushing the button to turn on the Crockhamwell Road festive display.
And they’ll also help Woodley and Earley Lions with their Tree of Light campaign.
The lights form just part of the popular event, which will take place by the centre stage from 4.30pm this Saturday.
Woodley Concert Band and Reading Operatic Society will provide the music and representatives from Churches Together in Woodley lead the carols.
There will be seasonal refreshments, mince pies and mulled wine, courtesy of both Waitrose and Lidl. They will be served by members of Just Around the Corner (JAC) and Woodley & Earley Lions.
The Tree Of Light is a means to remember those loved ones that can’t be with you at Christmas, by supporting those less fortunate. Your donation will go to local causes in the name of those you wish to remember, think of, or simply can no longer be with you.
Mr Fennelly is looking forward to his first Christmas event as town centre manager.
He said: “Our fabulous Christmas Tree will be ready for our wonderful Christmas Lights Switch On ceremony and Carol Concert. This year we have had 1,000 Carol Concert sheets printed with seven of your favourite carols.
“We’re all ready for Woodley to kick off Christmas in great voice on 23rd November 2019.”
The event will see Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Kay Gilder open the event and it starts at 4.30pm.
And then, a week later, on Sunday, December 1, the Woodley Christmas Extravaganza returns for its 23rd year.
Mr Fennelly said: “This year we have a brilliant new stage that is bigger and better than ever before.
“We are also delighted to announce that this year, Woodley Town Centre Management will be teaming up with a fantastic local charity. All profits from our exhilarating new Rodeo Rudolph ride will go to the Arrhythmia Alliance, the Lily-May Page Charity.
“Put the dates in your diary now. These will be truly great days that Woodley is rightly very proud of, and cannot be missed.”