Acorn Road lights up for Christmas

Dec 13, 2023 by Roseanna Leconte in Community

Children from Northern Counties School (NCS) switched on the Christmas lights on Acorn Road on Thursday 7 December, marking the first ‘Light up Jesmond’ event on Jesmond’s shopping street.

The school is run by the Percy Hedley Foundation (PHF), a North East charity which supports people with disabilities and learning difficulties. Ruby, a pupil at NCS, said she felt very “proud” to switch on the lights. “The town hasn’t been lit up before. It’s the first time in a long time,” she added.

The event was organised and funded by the Watson Family Charitable Trust as part of their ‘Jesmond Community Project’, which aims to keep Jesmond special. Jen Bernard, a volunteer for the project, told JesmondLocal: “It’s been a pleasure supporting the Watson charitable trust in bringing the community together and lighting up Jesmond for the children and seeing all the smiles.”

Light up Jesmond took three weeks of organisation. “We gathered local businesses and we basically came up with a scheme for lighting up Jesmond to bring some community spirit,” Bernard said.

*Jesmond Community Project volunteers at Light up Jesmond. Centre: Jen Bernard. (Image credit: Roseanna Leconte*)

One of the businesses involved with the event was LOCAL, a coffee shop on Acorn Road. The switching on of the lights took place just outside the shop, which also hosted a DJ and provided mulled wine.

Kate Thompson, co-owner of LOCAL, said: “It’s been so lovely to put something back into Jesmond and have a bit more of a community feel.” Thompson added: “The community spirit in Jesmond has really helped a lot of the local independent traders.”

*The Christmas trees along Acorn Road are now lit up for Christmas. (Image* *credit: Roseanna Leconte*)

After the lights were switched on, there was a surprise fireworks display, before the crowds moved to St George’s Church for a service led by Canon Claire MacLaren.

The service featured performances from the Newcastle Concert Brass Band as well as the Northern Counties School Signing Choir. Ruby said: “My favourite part [of the evening] was performing the story for everyone in the church.”

Martin Lonergan, the head teacher of NCS, said: “All the children love coming out and showing off their skills. They’re demonstrating that they can give back to the community.” This year, the PHF are celebrating their 70^th anniversary.

*The lights on the 35ft tall Christmas tree outside St George’s Church were switched on by children from the Percy Hedley Northern Counties School. (Image credit: Roseanna Leconte*)

After the service, the children switched on the lights on the 35ft Christmas tree outside St George’s Church, and everyone was then invited back inside for hot drinks and mince pies provided by Mighty Oaks.