HUNDREDS of revellers braved the rain and wind to enjoy Droitwich’s annual Christmas Lights Switch On festivities.
On Saturday crowds of children and their families watched as the mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Graham Beale, illuminated the town centre with an array of twinkling lights, heralding the festive season.
And there was plenty else to enjoy too, with a funfair filling Victoria Square, a host of market stalls lining the High Street and Saltbarrow Market, carols in St Andrew’s Church and – most importantly – Santa himself in St Richard’s House.
Speaking before the event, Cllr Beale said: “Christmas is always exciting, especially for the children, and the shops have done a good job of making it look Christmassy.
“I think it is a case of people coming together, people coming to see it and enjoy themselves.
"Considering the weather I think most people seemed to do what they wanted to do. I think generally despite the fact that the weather was like it was, it was a respectable turn out and especially for the switch on. 
"It went very well, Santa's Grotto seemed to have quite a number of children there. The church was really full because at 5pm we had a puppet show.
Despite the bad weather, volunteers with Droitwich Lions Club, which was running Santa’s Grotto, said it had been a busy day with around three hundred young visitors queuing up to meet the man himself.
Lion Martin Errington said: “It is lovely to see the kids enjoying it. It has been well worth it, it has been going very well. It is nice to have all the Lions together.”
But David Sherwen, who was responsible for organising the Lion’s Grotto, warned the future of the club’s Christmas events could be in jeopardy.
“We are all getting old and to do something like this we need more help,” he said.
“We are short of helpers. We need people to volunteer to help or things like the sleigh around the streets will disappear.”
Sergeant Sarah Kent, of Droitwich’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the day had run smoothly, with no disturbances reported by her team of six officers who had been policing the town centre.
She said: “It is all family oriented and all calm, everyone is having a good time despite the weather.
“It has been nice, it is a nice atmosphere and it is nice to get everybody out and about.”
Market traders, who had been out selling crafts, food, jewellery and mulled wine, said it had been an enjoyable day with plenty of people turning out to enjoy the events on offer.
Sis Kaur, who runs Droitwich’s Rangoli Bakehouse with Jon Harris, was out in Saltbarrow Market selling a host of delicious cakes.
She said: “It is getting really busy, we came last year and found this time it is really good. It is lovely, it has really pulled the crowds in this year. I think they have really made an effort.”
And even Mrs Christmas – also known as Worcester resident Joy Hoskins – paid a visit to Droitwich to enjoy the entertainment.
Dressed in a long red velvet gown trimmed with white fur, Ms Hoskins said: “It is brilliant, a lovely atmosphere, I love it.”