By Margaret Crosby

Published at 11:54, Thursday, 15 November 2012

PART of Whitehaven’s Lowther Street will be pedestrian friendly on Sunday (November 18) when traffic is barred for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Once again the CFM Stage will be across the street, providing a focal point for a day of entertainment featuring not only an array of local talent but also X-Factor boy-band The Risk who will help Mayor of Copeland Peter Tyson do the honours. Crowds can also see excerpts from Theatre Group’s pantomime Aladdin, Stage Stars’ Beauty and the Beast and dancing from the Pop Steps girls.

Lowther Street, from its junction with Queen Street, will be closed to traffic from 9am to 6.30pm. CFM Stage events will be from 12.30pm onwards and, subject to schedule changes, The Risk are expected to appear at around 5.30pm.

The Risk, who were hailed as the next JLS, will later appear on stage at the Civic Hall (7pm, tickets £10) supported by the Committed To Rock choir, Shore, David Eldon and Beth McGarry. There will be street theatre acts throughout the town to encourage a Christmas atmosphere and Taylor’s funfair will be in Lowther Street.

Scrooge is totally banned, says key organiser Charles Maudling, chairman of Whitehaven Chamber of Trade. “There’s no doom and gloom here, despite recent announcements. We just need people to come down, have a good time and support the event, not least their local shops.’’ In a ‘Support Whitehaven’s Christmas Lights’ campaign local shopkeepers are selling wrist bands for a minimum donation of £1.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk