RUDHEATH residents are being invited to The Venue in Gadbrook Road to enjoy a feast of festive entertainment.

The celebrations will feature music, festive stalls, fairground rides, a visit by Santa and the switching-on of lights on Rudheath’s first Christmas tree.

The switch-on is the highlight of the celebrations, which are being organised by Rudheath Parish Council and take place on Sunday, December 4 between 4pm and 8pm.

The council decided to stage the event to bring the community together in the run-up to the festive season.

Council chairman Alison Gerrard is to share the role of turning on the lights with a superhero guest, and is urging families to come along to make the event one to remember.

“We decided that as we are running The Venue now it would be a good place to have a Christmas tree,” said Cllr Gerrard, who is due to be transformed into a Christmas elf on the day as one of Santa’s helpers.

“We have not had a community Christmas tree before, and are excited about the event, which is something new in the village.

“It will give people the feeling of Christmas, and is something to bring the community together.

“We need people to support it so we can make it an annual event.”

A Christmas fair featuring a variety of stalls starts at 4pm, and children from Little Owls Pre-School will be singing Christmas songs from 4.15pm.

The choir from Rudheath Primary Academy is due to perform, and Santa will be arriving at 5.30pm on the Northwich Rotary Vale Royal sleigh.

Mereside Brass Band will be performing from 6pm to 7pm, and the Christmas lights are due to be switched on at 6.30pm.

The evening ends with a performance by singer Rebecca Holland from 7.15pm to 8pm, and there will be a small bar and hot food.

The celebrations are being funded by the parish council, with support from Cheshire West councillors and Rudheath and Witton Together.

Local shops have donated prizes for a raffle, the proceeds of which will go to Northwich Rotary Vale Royal and a local charity.