By Heather Skull

THOUSANDS turned out to watch brother and sister Thomas and Rachel Carpenter switch on the Christmas lights in Trowbridge.

The youngsters from Chepston Place took the place of honour for the Trowbridge event on Friday night, to flick the switch to turn on the festive illuminations.

Thomas won the competition to turn on the lights after his letter telling judges what a delight it would be for his sister, who is blind, to do it.

Before the switch on, Thomas said he was very nervous.

"We have been looking forward to it. I can still hardly believe we won, it won't really sink in until I've actually done it," he said.

His father Andrew said: "It was a really good idea to have the competition, there's no doubt he wanted to do it."

Before the lights were switched on, the children of Newtown School, Trowbridge entertained the crowds with a series of rousing songs.

Luke Govier, nine, from Newtown School said all the children had been practising very hard.

"It's going to be fun singing on the stage to everyone," he said.

Anna Hemingway, 10, said: "We've really been really looking forward to this, we've been practising and they are really good songs."

Headteacher Andy Milroy said it was a continuation of the events held to celebrate the school's centenary.

"The songs are old-time music-hall which the children did earlier in the year, but they've been practising again over the last two or three weeks."

A group from the Friends of Newtown School, dressed in their Victorian clothes, were on hand to sell mince pies and hot drinks. Nicky Phillips said: "We had all the costumes from the summer and it was nice to dress up again."

Despite last minute worries as electricians worked right up until the moment the lights were switched on, the actual event went very smoothly.

Thomas and Rachel, joined by mayor Angela Milroy, Melksham's Mr Christmas Andy Parks and, of course, Father Christmas, turned on the lights as the crowd joined in the countdown.

Then one by one the lights came on much to the relief of the organisers as well as the children who switched them on.

Thomas said: "I feel happier now it's over and it went really well. We did enjoy it."

His sister said she had also enjoyed her moment.

Her mother Janet said: "It's been a real sense of occasion for the whole family.

"The band playing behind her helped Rachel feel the Christmas spirit."

Trowbridge town centre manager Daryl Saville-Brown said she had been delighted with the way the event had gone.

She said: "This has been a real community event for the people of Trowbridge put on by the people of Trowbridge."

Trowbridge and District Youth Band helped add a festive flavour to the proceedings by playing a selection of Christmas songs and carols.

There were also fairground rides in the streets to entertain children.

The crowds were soon joining in with Jingle Bells as the celebrations continued with entertainment in the town centre.

Shops in the town and The Shires shopping centre stayed open later to help keep the atmosphere going, with many having their own mini-celebrations for shoppers.

Street fair is full of colour and costume

PEOPLE in period dress helped add to the atmosphere of the Victorian Fair held at Trowbridge on Saturday.

The event, held as part of the celebrations for the town's Christmas lights switch on, filled Fore Street with old-style stalls.

Town criers from other towns joined Trowbridge crier Trevor Heeks for the now traditional rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Organiser Daryl Saville-Brown said she had been very pleased with the way the event went.

"It was absolutely excellent, the people who participated in the costume competition were really good and I say 'Well done' to the people of Trowbridge," she said.

Chris Scrivens of Trowbridge Town Council, which helped run the event, said the whole day had gone well.

She said: "There was a bit of drizzle, but we could cope with that."

The competition for the best stall and best dressed individual was judged by a panel including town mayor Angela Milroy and chamber of commerce president Marco Polledri.

Results (1,2,3):

Best stall, Leer Twinning, Trowbridge Area Community Link Scheme, Hope Nature Centre.

Best adult, Hazel Jackson, Averil Beresford.

Best girl, Amy King, jt 2 Laura Holmes and Noreen Leat.

Best boy, Gary Nicholls.