3:20pm Friday 28th November 2008
SANTA is set to be the latest star attraction at Sedgley’s pub of lights - which attracts thousands of visitors year on year eager to view the stunning Yuletide display.
The Summer House pub has been lighting up the night sky since November 9 and an extra £6,000 worth of decorations for this year includes a chalet depicting the night before Christmas.
Father Christmas will take up residence in the chalet each Sunday from December 7 from 6pm until 8pm in the run-up to his busiest night of the year, to meet children and give them a present.
Pub Landlord and landlady John and Pauline Coombes have been creating bigger and more spectacular displays each year since taking over the pub in Gospel End Road, eight years ago.
Several hundred people, including carol singers from the Toads Drama Society, braved the rain and wind of Remembrance Sunday for the evening switch on - which raised £2,000 for Compton Hospice.
“We didn’t know whether people would turn out because the weather was so awful. Everyone was drowned and we had a few faults on the lights which meant they didn’t all come on, but the amount of people there was really good,” said Joyce, who has decorated the interior of the pub with snow and polar bears.
Festive trees, lights and a host of decorations adorn the front of the pub and seven snowmen appear to dance on the roof thanks to a sophisticated synchronised light and music system.
The display takes months of planning and has become a major festive attraction in the area.
“The ways things are at the moment, everything is doom and gloom. We have got to have some fun as well and the display is nice to see and everyone likes it,” added Joyce.
There will be a small charge to see Father Christmas - with proceeds going to the hospice.
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