A DOWNPOUR on Saturday night didn’t dampen spirits as the Cambrian community turned out in force with umbrellas to turn on the Christmas lights.

Children from St Thomas of Canterbury school choir sang carols, led by their teacher Kate Higgins, before a dramatic countdown to the switch-on by master of ceremonies Matthew Baker.

Entertainment was provided by local jazz singer Jane Wolfe, vocal trio The Harmonettes and women’s choir A Handbag of Harmonies and the lights were switched on by Jack Mason, vice president of the University of Chester student union.

Jane, secretary of the Garden Quarter Association, said: “Huge thanks must go to Lindsay Roberts, of Mustique hairdressers, who did such a lot of the hard work.”

The stage, at the bottom of Cambrian Road, was provided by Ed Walley.

Festive cheer continued throughout the evening with Jane Wolfe and band Safehouse at The Bouverie pub.

Sunday saw a Christmas market at Garden Lane Methodist Church, with singing from pupils of Victoria Infant School and Lindsay Roberts turned her Garden Lane hairdressers into a Christmas café.

Garden Lane Methodist Church is holding a community candlelit carol service on Sunday December 19 at 6.30pm.