Kirkby's Polar Express lightens the gloom

Santa gets on board at Kirkby Stephen East

Some said later that the weather spoiled the day. Others were more philosophical - after all, we do live in Cumbria, not Canberra, and you shouldn't expect to be sunbathing in December. Not only that, after a few cups of mulled wine at Kirkby Stephen East , who could possibly care?

The mulled wine was taken in the company of Santa himself, ensconced at the station to bring cheer, and presents, to the scores of our young ferried up

Santa's helpers help themselves keep warm

The square. centre of the Town Enhancement scheme (go on, click it and have a look), and thus centre of a near nightmare for organisers of the big lights switch on.

The enhancement work is rumbling on and will get there in the end, but in the meantime as 4pm Saturday approached and folks gathered in front of the Panda to welcome in the Christmas illuminations, there was no electricity available to hook up to! Workers were struggling to rig up a last-minute feed to make sure the onlookers weren't disappointed.

And in the gathering murk they did it. A feat of quiet heroism.  

Back up at the station the crowds had gone,

The classic way to visit Father Christmas

Across in the church, a day of entertainments was drawn to a close. There had been a choir at noon, and then dancers too. The Eastside Crew (and that is a link you really should check out) were there with all their plans for Kirkby's future, as well as Samantha Sandell's call to action for the new junior council.

Music on the platform

So what did Ann Sandell make of it in the end? What are her abiding memories?

'I was freezing to death.'

No Ann! Positive memories!

'Oh, well ... how much the Stainmore Railway Company did. How it felt trying to get those lights on at the last minute. How much the young people enjoyed it. How well the shops did their windows, because it looked like they really had been totally inspired by the Polar Express theme. How much Will Hamer enjoyed it. And how his Welsh accent kept going Asian.' 

Ann deserves a few bouquets. After St Luke's Fair and all of this, she really will be looking forward to the holidays. 

Festive day at the Stainmore Railway Company

A vintage cuppa at Kirkby Stephen East