News

Queenborough Town Council Christmas Lights Parade was back this year with new additions.

After a year of planning the Town Council accomplished their goal by bringing back the free event with smiles beaming from the many who visited the Town over the weekend and giving something back to the community after a year blighted by Covid.
The welcome addition of the Reindeer from the Reindeer Centre, this year, was held at Rushenden, Santa (Lee Ewart) could be seen tending to his reindeer accompanied by his Elf (Mrs Leeson) giving out over eight hundred gift bags to the Children who visited the Grotto, for a photo opportunity.
The Council obtained funding from the Swale Borough Council Welcome Back Grant to purchase their own two-way radio system, much needed equipment for the Council for use at their annual Christmas lights and for future events including the Council run In Bloom Committee.
Christmas Trees were built by Councillor Peter Marchington in the Queenborough Park and Rushenden Club creating spectacular scenes at these locations.
Sheppey FM were joined by Queenborough School Choir and the Song signing choir, performing carols and counting down to the magnificent firework display which took to the sky over Queenborough and Rushenden.
The most exciting highlight, not only a first for the Town but we believe the first time the system has been used for a parade in the UK, is the installation of the remote-control CMS System to turn on and off the Christmas lights, which meant the lights could be turned on as the parade walked through.
SATS Droneography Drone filled the sky throughout the day and night, the wonderful pictures can be seen on the Town Council website and will be shared across Queenborough Town Council social media pages.
Costs for the lights themselves remained the same as in previous years and the Town Council extend a big thankyou to the professionalism of Prime One Maintenance Ltd for their help, guidance and assistance throughout this whole event.
Queenborough Harbour Trust Festive Market was open on the quay with local stalls, crafts and refreshments.
Mr Leeson took over the roll as Santa as the parade commenced carrying six hundred bags of sweets which were distributed free to the community, with help from his Elf (Mrs Leeson).
The event once again bought back the retired fire engine adorned with lights leading the parade from Castlemere Avenue. And our parade would not be what it is without the talented St John Ambulance Band parading.
Queenborough Rowing Club could be seen in pursuit with their decorated lighted boat and dinosaurs walked the town entertaining the children along the way joined by LED Stick people, The Grinch and festive characters, bringing humour to the parade.
Tim Bell fundraiser for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance came along with his homemade helicopter playing music and getting the community dancing.
Attendance was bigger than in previous years making the event was phenomenal, and we thank everyone who attended.
We are pleased to report that £627 was raised through donations collected at the event and the raffle for the Christmas Lights.
If you do have any photos of the event you would like to add, please post them to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #queenboroughchristmas
Our Thanks go to all of those who supported and helped make this event,
Prime One Maintenance Limited
St John Ambulance Band
The Reindeer Centre
The Firework operator
Sheppey FM
The fire engine
Rushenden Club
Queenborough Rowing Club
Queenborough Harbour Trust
Event Marshalling Unit Sheppey
The Swale Borough Council Welcome Back Funding
Councillor Peter Marchington
Lee Ewart, Santa
Mr & Mrs Leeson, Santa and Elf
SATS Droneography
Tim Bell, fundraiser for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance
Queenborough School and Nursery Choir
Sing & Signing Choir
Dinosaurs, led stick people, the Grinch and festive characters
And to all to the people of Queenborough and Rushenden.
                                                                                  We wish you all a Merry Christmas from the Councillors and Clerk of Queenborough Town Council