Forth Christmas Lights Switch On 2014 Slideshow

This year Forth and District Initiative Group asked well-kent local sports coach Jim Paton to switch the lights on.

Forth St Paul’s Church Hall was packed from early in the afternoon when Santa’s Grotto was set up to entertain families.

Children received their selection boxes and enjoyed the activities in the small hall, giving mums, dads and all the family time for a chat.

From 3pm a representative from St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie was present in the church to accept donations for the hospice as well as lighting a light on the local Christmas Tree and selling cards.

As the clock ticked down to 4.30pm many villagers gathered in preparation for the big switch-on. A lot of children were in the gathering because Jim – who keeps them right in the running club, football tactics, athletics and everything in sports – was there to do the honours at the switch on.

Jim addressed the audience before leading the crownd in a countdown, reaching a crescendo as the lights were turned on!

Forth Initiative Group would like to thank everyone who attended the Christmas Lights celebration.

The group would also like to thank Forth St Paul’s Church and South Lanarkshire Council for their help and Jim, who earlier this year carried the Commonwealth Games baton for the village.

Freelance photographer Sarah Peters captured the action for the Gazette and her pictuers are featured in our slideshow, created for your viewing pleasure by editor Julie Currie.