Unseasonably warm and dry weather sees crowds turn out for borough’s bumper weekend of Christmas events

The countdown to Christmas was marked with switch-on street parties at Tring, Berkhamsted and Kings Langley.

Festivities started with Tring’s traditional Christmas Festival on Friday when, as part of the celebrations, competition winner Monty Boon got to switch on the Christmas decoration that he had designed.

The Design A Light Competition - run by event organisers Tring Together and sponsored by Harpenden Building Society- sees primary schools from across the town enter their drawing designs.

The winning festive design by Monty, from Bishop Wood Primary School, has been given pride of place on a lamppost in Church Square.

Vivianne Child from Tring Together said the evening was a hit with crowds. “A massive thank you to the people of Tring for supporting Tring Christmas Festival,” she said. “Many, many thanks to the businesses who gave us money, lent us equipment or decorated their shop windows. Tring businesses are wonderful. Thank you to Tring Town Council, Dacorum Borough Council and Herts Country Council for their help and encouragement. And thank you to the over one hundred volunteers who guided traffic, kept everyone safe and generally organised the whole of Tring to get involved.”

And I copied this from the Everything Tring Facebook page, which sums up the evening

Loretta Anderson from Community Action Dacorum (CAD), which organised Saturday’s Kings Langley event in partnership with the village parish council, said crowds turned out and stayed out this year because, unusually, they were not driven indoors by freezing or wet weather.

“It was probably the best one ever, because the weather was almost warm, ” said Loretta. “It is always a good event and the Kings Langley people love it but the weather made a difference.”

Hemel Hempstead town centre also had festive themed fun, including a giant 15ft-high rocking reindeer, fairground rides and a chance to meet Santa. The Christmas lights were switched on at 5.30pm on Saturday, which was followed by fireworks.

Berkhamsted also enjoyed a mega turnout at its Festival of Light on Sunday, which is organised by CAD and Berkhamsted Town Council.

Loretta said: “The place was packed. It was a lovely atmosphere.”

During the event, the coveted title of the town’s best Christmas shop window was awarded.

Now in its 17th year, the hotly contended contest is hosted by Berkhamsted Citizens Association.

Chairman Susan Johnson praised the shopkeepers, particularly independent traders in the High Street, Lower Kings Road, Kings Road and Castle Street for their stunning windows.

The winner of the cup this year is the ladies designer clothes and accessories High Street shop Amelie.

Mrs Johnson said: “The display in its double-fronted windows, representing a cosy interior on one side and a chilly exterior on the other, is both clever and beautiful.”

A certificate of high commendation went to hairdressers Steve Lupton in Castle Street and certificates of commendation were awarded to Peter John in High Street and Luminous & Vogue in Lower Kings Road.