Residents from across Nansledan have come together to celebrate the festive season with a Christmas Fayre and the official switch-on of the Christmas lights.
Santa and his elves took time out from their 12-night tour of Newquay to put in a special appearance courtesy of the Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club, leading a procession through the streets of Nansledan.
Families and friends came together in Parc Mengleudh to see young Presley Randell switch on the Christmas tree lights with mum Danielle and brother Jayden, while dad Justin and friend Lucy Thomasson watched from home via video link. Justin had a brain tumour diagnosed last year and is being cared for at home.
John and Cath Mason, who are in their 59th year of marriage and dubbed Nansledan’s ‘most romantic couple’, did the honours with a second tree outside Home Nansledan.
Nansledan’s businesses got into the Christmas spirit, serving up apple crumble, hot chocolate and Christmas cocktails. And there was a raffle for a hamper donated by the Duchy of Cornwall, with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The event was collectively planned by Elly Owen from The Old Garage wine shop and deli, working with local traders, other Nansledan businesses and Theresa Ferguson, who until recently was Chair of Nansledan Community Association. The event was also sponsored by the Duchy of Cornwall and Nansledan’s three developers, Wain Homes, Morrish Homes and CG Fry & Son.
Elly said it was great to see so many businesses and residents getting involved in the festivities.
She said: “The collaboration between the local businesses and the community was really lovely to see. The fayre was also a good way to get more people from outside the area to come and see what Nansledan is all about.”
Theresa co-ordinated many of the activities and spent the evening dressed as an elf while running a ‘hunt the elf’ event for children across Nansledan.
She said: “It was wonderful to see our community come together in celebration. Santa got involved in the countdown to the lights going on, and we sang Jingle Bells with the children. The shops stayed open late and it was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
Ben Murphy, Estate Director at the Duchy of Cornwall, added: “A lot of effort went into planning this event. I’d like to thank Elly, Theresa, the Nansledan Community Association, Towan Blystra Lions, local businesses, our developers and above all the community for helping to make it so special.”
All photos by Hugh Hastings.
