Richard Lawson with daughter Josephine Donnelly-Lawson on his shoulder, Molly Donnelly (centre) and mum Jennifer Donnelly-Corbett (Image: Joe Yates, Newsquest)The 38-year-old Royton mother-of-two said: “We come here every year pretty much, it’s the exception for doing anything Christmassy in November! “We don’t do anything until December really, so we won’t put the tree up until then because it’s far too soon. Christmas light switch-on and parade (Image: Joe Yates, Newsquest)Speaking before the illuminations, Molly added: “I’m excited for the switch-on and looking forward to the fireworks!”Music was blaring from huge speakers positioned outside of the Old Town Hall throughout the day, lifting the spirits of those parents who joined the one-hundred-yard queue to meet Santa. The day kicked off with the Christmas parade which was led by Ollie and Mille the Oldham Owls and Rodney the Reindeer, as Santa trailed behind the procession. Five-year-old Ellis Spencer came to the town to see the parade and had hopes of meeting Santa and knew exactly what he wanted for Christmas having been good all year.

Source: The Times November 18, 2023 21:03 UTC