Christmas lights go on in villages across the district

THE official switch-on of the first Holmbridge community Christmas tree took place on Friday last week. A large group of local people gathered outside the Bridge Tavern to enjoy the festivities, with mulled wine, mince pies and assorted treats for the children.

The lights were switched on by villager Kath Bellamy.Many people had been involved in the preparations and thanks go to those who made donations of all kinds to make the event such a success.Silver is the final colour that goes hand in hand with Christmas. Tinsel, table decorations, tree decorations and more all benefit from a hint of silver. This is also a very sophisticated colour when combined with other colours and used in moderation in the home. A great way to use some silver spray paint is to spray pine cones for display around the house. This is a very inexpensive and fun way to decorate the house. Children love doing this and it is a good way of bringing the outside indoors.The Maritime Museum of San Diego observed Christmas with the Annual Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay, 12 and 19 December where participants enjoyed the spectacular views while they enjoyed a Holiday Buffet on the ferryboat Berkeley. On the 18th, the yacht America cruised to where passengers could view whale watching. On the 30th, the Annual Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade took place.CAPTION(S):Information: The Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101; or, (619) 234-9153, fax (619) 234-8345.This year's performance, "The Carpenter," took visitors back to the town of Mystic on Christmas Eve 1876. People from far and near traveled to the small village with the townspeople talking of the events that led up to that night; local financier and politician Harold King's referendum which required everyone to vote; the current political and economic hardships; the arrival of three lawyers from Orient Point; the birth of baby John to Elizabeth; and Joseph and Virginia's travails as they arrived in town just in time for the birth of their son.Thanks also to Holme Valley Parish Council for sponsoring the lights and to the Bridge Tavern for the power to illuminate them and also for making those present so welcome on the night.Red is probably the most well known Christmas colour. Stemming perhaps from Santa's clothes (which in fact stems from coca cola!) red is one of the most commonly found colours used in lights and other decorations at Christmas time. It needs to be used in combination with other colours as too much red is not ideal and can start to look a little tacky, particularly when it comes to tinsel. When used with white or clear lights a very sophisticated display can be formed, likewise with gold.

TREE-MENDOUS: Skelmanthorpe First School pupils with their trees at the Christmas Tree Festival at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church - Evie Wojarski, Nathan Moorhouse, Amelia Embury-Walsh, Archie Greaves, McKenna Drake and Ellie Rumney Picture Julian Hughes by ( JH101210Htree-01) LET THERE BE LIGHT: Trevor and Kath Bellamy, left and right, and Bridge Tavern hosts Matthew and Alison, centre, and below the festive scene after the big switch-on