VIDEO: Wickbourne Centre Christmas lights

It was a case of Jolly by name, jolly by nature at the Christmas lights switch on at the Wickbourne Centre last week.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2016, 11:55 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2016, 16:37 BST
Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on eventAllison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event
Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event

The event included a Santa’s grotto, tombola and performances by children from White Meadows Primary Academy and the PlayCentre Nursery, which is held at the centre in Clun Road, Littlehampton.

The event is a partnership between Littlehampton Children’s and Family Centre and Arun Community Church.

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Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church was on hand to oversee the festivities at the centre in Clun Road Littlehampton on Thursday.

Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on eventAllison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event
Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event

Mr Jolly has been involved with the Christmas event at the centre for ten years. He said: “This year’s event has been excellent. The purpose of this is getting the whole community together: the school, different organisations, people who use the nursery. We’ve had about 300 people here today.”

The main highlight was switching on the centre’s Christmas lights, which was done by Ebony-May Winter-Leonnard from Wick.

The three-year-old, who attends the centre’s nursery, said it was ‘magic’.

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Her mum Fern, 25, and dad Kraig, 21, were also there with the rest of the family.

Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church, with Fern Winter-Leonnard, 25, and her family, including Ebony-May three, and her husband Kraig, 21Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church, with Fern Winter-Leonnard, 25, and her family, including Ebony-May three, and her husband Kraig, 21
Allison Zamanakos from West Sussex County Council and Jon Jolly from Arun Community Church, with Fern Winter-Leonnard, 25, and her family, including Ebony-May three, and her husband Kraig, 21

Mr Winter-Leonnard praised the event: “I used to come here after school when I was younger, and this is great – it’s a lot more than they did when I was younger.”

Anna Lesniak, 36, from Wick, took her daughter Lily, one, to see Santa and said she ‘really loved it’.

Money raised from the event this year will go towards the ChallengeU programme at Lodge Hill near Pulborough, an outdoor centre and charity for vulnerable teenagers.

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Speaking on the day, Niall Cossins, 36, from Lodge Hill said: “It’s a massive deal for us, because we struggle to get funding.

Katherine and Terry Lock from Felpham with their son James, two at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on eventKatherine and Terry Lock from Felpham with their son James, two at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event
Katherine and Terry Lock from Felpham with their son James, two at the Wickbourne Community Centre Christmas lights switch on event

“Lots of young people have come along and enjoyed themselves, it has been really fun for the community.”

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/christmas/