The shining lights of Eathorpe

Every year, people in Eathorpe decorate their homes and gardens and throw a charity street party when they turn them on.

The event began as a fundraiser for the village hall, but money now goes to different causes, with Zoe’s Place children’s hospice and Help for Heroes due to benefit this year.

The grand lighting-up ceremony will take place in Main Street on Saturday December 4 at 6pm, with mulled wine, mince pies, a Santa’s grotto and games, as well as stalls in the village hall.

Organiser Pauline Peck says people from around the area are welcome to enjoy the festivities.

She said: “It’s just decorating your house and going over the top, but it has become an annual tradition.

“The main street looks fantastic. We do have a reputation for having a nice atmosphere and a good community spirit.

“It’s a great night, and proof that we can all get together and do something different.”

The event normally raises around £2,000, and this year villagers are also planning to hold a ‘grand switch-off’ on the weekend of January 7 and 8 to cheer people up after Christmas and the New Year.

Mrs Peck says the main reason the village holds the events is to entertain people and make the village a welcoming place.

She added: “We’re not greedy. People don’t need to come to spend money, just throw a few chairs in the back of the car, walk down the street and enjoy the lights.”