Georgia throws switch on lights

As winner of an inter-schools poetry competition, Moira Primary School pupil Georgia Dane had the honour of switching on the Christmas tree lights in Moira.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Dec 2015, 15:00 BST
The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.
The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.

Kyle Stirling from Meadow Bridge Primary School was runner-up in the competition and Owen Kennedy from Rowandale Integrated Primary School won the 3rd prize.

Prior to switching on the lights, Georgia read her winning poem entitled ‘What Christmas means to me’ in which she wrote that “Christmas is special because Jesus was born for you and me”.

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The event was organised by St John’s Parish Church; the compere was Simon Henry (Youth Ministry Co-ordinator) and the Rev Joanne Megarrell (Rector) gave a short Christmas address.

The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.
The flurry of excitement when Simon Henry announced that Santa was on his way.

A choir from Moira Primary School and a choir from Rowandale Primary School each sang a selection of Christmas carols and both choirs joined in singing the closing festive song, ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’.

The special guest was Councillor Thomas Beckett (Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council).

Following the switch-on, people who had packed the centre of the village then packed the nearby St John’s Parish Centre where they enjoyed tea/coffee, mince pies and shortbread served by Betty Derby and her team of ladies from St John’s Parish Church.

During refreshments, Santa was on hand in St John’s ‘grotto’ with the opportunity for a photo and a gift from his ‘elves’ and the Lurgan Salvation Army Band played a selection of festive music.