On the afternoon of Saturday 29th November, Beckenham kick started the festive season with an afternoon of live entertainment, a fun fair and stalls on Beckenham Green next to St Georges Church. You could buy a festive snack and a Yule tide drink whilst watching the performers on stage. There were even Christmas trees for sale. The green was crowded with families enjoying the festive fun.
The prelude to the main event was at 4.45pm when The Harvettes All Girl Marching band led the Copers Cope Annual Candlelit Procession down the High Street and on to Beckenham Green singing Christmas carols as they spread the Christmas spirit amongst the shoppers and bystanders watching them as they processed through the town. There was something magical about the procession as the night closed in and the excitement amongst the adults and children alike mounted. The children’s excitement was assisted by the appearance of Father and Nanny Christmas on the Green.
As the procession reached the Green the bells of St Georges rang out to the surrounding crowd. Carols could be heard all over Beckenham as local church choirs continued to sing outside various shops and restaurants.
The final entertainer finished his song and the crowd joined with all the singers to sing some well-loved Christmas carols.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Bromley Councillor Julian Benington and Mrs Benington together with Nanny and Father Christmas as well as the MP for Beckenham Colonel Bob Stuart all stood on stage to push the lever to turn on the lights. After one false start the lever was pushed there was a loud bang, thousands of strands of silver paper flew into the air and fell onto the watching crowd. The Christmas lights in Beckenham flickered and then burst into light Christmas had arrived in Beckenham.
