The Jesmond Residents Association (JRA) will introduce a new event to the community in 2025 following the success of the Acorn Road Christmas lights switch-on that aims to bring residents and local stakeholders together again.

The new initiative, which will be known as Maker’s Market, is an “exciting project” following the “success of the Acorn Road Christmas lighting event”, Eileen Strouzer, a member of the JRA, told JesmondLocal. The event will be held at the Northumberland County Cricket Club on Osborne Avenue on 22nd March, running from 10am to 3pm.

The Marker’s Market will be the first of four seasonal markets throughout the year, though Strouzer told JesmondLocal plans for future events are still in the works. The aim for the Maker’s Market is to provide stalls to “creative people who make and sell unique products to suit a wide range of visitors,” Strouzer explained.

The market will be free to attend, and will feature artisans, independent traders and designers showcasing their bespoke products.

Strouzer told JesmondLocal she has “considerable experience trading in markets” and wants residents to “enjoy the day” when they visit. Further details will shortly be on advertised via JRA’s social media platforms (Facebook, X) , the JRA Community Notice Board, alongside local posters.

The new events will build on the work the JRA did to bring the community together in early December for the Acorn Road Christmas lights switch-on.

The JRA, alongside The Watson Family Charitable Trust, helped spread the Christmas cheer through Jesmond last December, by organising the Christmas Light Switch On on Acorn Road.

On December 5th 2024, the Acorn Road lights were switched on outside Local NCL, who also helped organise and fund the event. Queues snaked down the street for food and mulled wine on the night.

The display was made possible by the dedication and hard work from The Watson Family Charitable Trust and the JRA. The hard work over the past two years has enabled Jesmond to feel the Christmas spirit and helped inspire young people through a collaboration with The Hedley Foundation.

The Watson Family Charitable Trust, founded in the North East by Ian Watson in 2015, helps young people overcome social disadvantages and disabilities at home through their ‘Jesmond Community Project’. By 2021, the total grants made over the previous six years totalled £550,000. The Watson Family Charitable Trust bases the majority of its operations in the North East, but has projects in countries as far away as Uganda.

The Acorn Road switch on can trace its roots back to 2016 when the first annual lighting took place at St. George’s Church . Speaking to JesmondLocal, Watson said he felt “inspired to do a community project like this”.

Ian Watson, talking through the processes of the event, held in 2024. (Credit: Gabriel Jonsson, JesmondLocal)

In 2023, The Watson Family Charitable Trust funded all the costs towards the Acorn Road switch on, but changes were made this year as Watson explained they received further financial contribution from “most of the retailers on Acorn Road”.

Watson gave a special mention to Jesmond Residents Association who were the official sponsors of the event. The JRA said on social media that they were “proud to be associated with this project” and be invited “as the official sponsors to the event”.

The Percy Hedley Foundation (PHF) has also been a big inspiration through their work in providing support for those with disabilities in the community. The PHF, who have worked with the Watson Family Trust and the JRA, were invited to be a part of the project after working extremely hard to allow the children in PHF to enjoy and be part of the magical Christmas celebration.

The PHF is a charity that supports individuals with disabilities and learning difficulties in the North East. In 2023 they provided 1.2 million hours towards activities, special education, care and therapy and employed 1,000 individuals to provide support. They run schools suited for all age groups, adult services and residential homes.

The foundation began in 1941 as a school consisting of 12 children, but last year alone they supported 650 families. One parent, who asked not to named, told JesmondLocal: “We cannot express our gratefulness to this charity for everything they do, helping our child and our family. Nights like these, seeing the smiles everywhere, we really do cherish”.

Another charity involved with the proceedings around the Light Switch on in Jesmond is Mighty Oaks. James Crichton, a trustee of the charity, told JesmondLocal: “Mighty Oaks is a very unique and bespoke small charity that gives out free hot barista drinks to anyone who wants one on the days that we operate”.

The Christian Charity is supported by individuals in local churches pursing the motto ‘Showing God’s love in a practical way’. Crichton told JesmondLocal: “We served 150 drinks in two hours, which is up there in our top 10 services of all time”.