Pop star lights up Silchester

Former member of world famous Abba tribute band switches Christmas tree lights on

A FORMER member of the world famous Abba tribute band, Bjorn Again, pressed the button to light up Silchester's Christmas tree yesterday evening (Sunday).

Silchester villager and former member of the Abba tribute group, Robin Scott, switched on the lights at 6pm, outside the Calleva Arms pub, then led a sing-song of Christmas carols around the tree.

An outdoor Christmas market which coincided with the event provided plenty of festive treats to browse, with mulled wine, a raffle, children's lucky dip, face-painting and Santa's grotto, courtesy of charity fundraisers, Loddon Valley Lions.

“The whole event was a really great success,” said landlady of the Calleva Arms, Sharon Bumpsteed, whose husband, Simon, ran a stall selling hotdogs and mulled wine. He raised £200 for the Barnardo's children's charity

“Having the market gave it a boost and lots of families came along,” added Mrs Bumpsteed.

With the total raised for charities still being totted up, an estimated several hundred pounds was raised for other charities including the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance and Guide Dogs.

Chitty farm of Silchester also donated a free range turkey, to be raffled off at the pub to raise further funds for Barnardo's, with the prize draw taking place on Sunday (December 4).

PHOTOGRAPH - PETE HUGHES