Image credit: Mair Llewellyn
Last weekend Lightoaks Park hosted a night of festive fun, with live performances, hot drinks and Santa’s Grotto.
Throughout the evening, guests could enjoy mulled wine supplied by Keenans Estate Agents and performances by Blackley Brass band, before concluding the evening with a choir sing along by candlelight.
Lindsay Barrett, 44, the secretary of The Friends of Lightoaks Park, said: “The Friends of Lightoaks Park put on this event each year for Christmas for our local community to bring people into the park and raise money for the park.
“I think it’s really important (this event) because it brings people into the park, it raises money and it builds that sense of community. It’s something people can come to to see their neighbours and their friends and just come and enjoy the park.
“The money that’s raised from today gets put straight back into the park to improve the facilities, to plant more trees and bulbs and make the park just a beautiful place. It’s a really valued green space for our community.
“Last year we raised approximately 700 pounds which for a two hours event is great. None of the volunteers or the committee are payed, they’re local residents, but the main thing we have in common is we love this park, so we want to make it a beautiful place for people to enjoy.”
Councillors Mike Pevitt, Barbara Bentham and Neil Reynolds were also at the park, collecting donations for Salford Foodbank. Councillor Reynolds spoke about the donations, saying: “The generosity of the local community in Salford has meant so much to us.”
Councillor Bentham added: “We collect at every event the Friends of Lightoaks Park host, and we are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the Claremont residents; it’s absolutely amazing to see people just wanting to make a difference to other people.”
Councillor Pevitt also spoke of the evenings success, saying: “There’s been a steady stream coming through, from people bringing just the one tin to four bags of shopping. Everything has come through to make a good Christmas for those people less fortunate than ourselves out there.”
The park also created a fundraising 2020 calendar featuring 12 images taken in the park over the course of 2019.
The Rotary Club of Salford with Swinton also attended the event, hosting a book stall, whilst Salford Elim Church held a Christmas trail.
Ian Peacock, 39, from Salford Elim Church, said: “I think events like this are incredibly important because they represent our longing for community and to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
“For us as a church, this event is a great opportunity to tell the story of the first Christmas and the significance of Jesus’ birth still has today in 21st century Salford.
“It has been great to collaborate with The Friends of Lightoaks Park, who are doing an awful lot for this part of Salford and are taking care of a beautiful local park which is used all year around.”
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