CHRISTMAS will arrive in Corbridge on Saturday, November 21, as the village’s annual display of festive lights will be illuminated.

St Andrew’s Church, in the heart of the Market Place, always forms the centrepiece for the display as it is home to the village Christmas tree as well as rows of twinkling lights.

The medieval Pele Tower was also included for the first time last year, and proved a big hit.

Traders and businesses also join in with the decorating effort, which is overseen by Corbridge Parish Council, and the switch on will take place at 4.30pm.

“You won’t find any celebrity switching on the lights,” said long-serving parish councillor, David Walton.

“It’s a low-key affair but very nicely done.

“The village always looks great and it’s a busy time of year for local businesses.”

To help ease the stress of Christmas shopping, many of the village’s popular independent shops will be opening their doors between midday and 4pm on Sundays in December.

The four-day annual Christmas tree festival, staged at St Andrew’s Church, will also get under way on Saturday, December 5 – just in time for the church’s Christingle service at 10am on Sunday, December 6.

The festivities will continue for the much anticipated village late night shopping event.

A joint effort between Corbridge Traders’ Association and Tynedale Rotary Club, this year’s event will take place on Monday, December 7, between 6pm and 9pm.

A brass band, carols and stalls will provide a focal point in the Market Place while many traders serve mince pies and mulled wine to give a festive welcome to customers.

To coincide with all the extra activity, an exhibition created by Corbridge Village Trust member, David Waugh, on the history of Corbridge’s shops, will be available to view from December 5 to 7 at the Corbridge Youth Initiative building on Hill Street.