This week’s switch-on of Gateshead’s Christmas lights (Friday November 25th) will prove to be an extra-special occasion for one Greenside youngster.
Caitlin Lowes, aged 10, who is a pupil at Greenside Primary School, will be assisting the Mayor of Gateshead next Friday with the official switch-on outside of Gateshead Civic Centre – ensuring that she is right by his side when the Christmas light she personally designed springs to life for the first time!
Caitlin’s design was one of hundreds of entries considered by judges in an annual competition to design a Christmas decoration for Gateshead town centre. The judges decided that Caitlin’s design - which features Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - was the most attractive, so her design was the one chosen to be turned into a full-blown Christmas decoration and incorporated into Gateshead town centre’s Christmas lights.
Now, Caitlin and her classmates are getting ready to visit Gateshead Civic Centre as guests of the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Joe Mitchinson, before helping him to switch on Gateshead’s Christmas lights outside of Gateshead Civic Centre.
In return, to make sure everyone is in the Christmas spirit before the Christmas lights are turned on, Caitlin and her classmates will perform Christmas carols at 4.45pm in the main foyer of Gateshead Civic Centre before making their way outside for the switch-on.
Dawn Foster, head teacher at Greenside Primary School, says: “It was a great moment when Caitlin found out that her design had won the competition and her classmates were absolutely delighted.
“Everyone is now very excited. Caitlin and all her classmates are really looking forward to visiting Gateshead Civic Centre next Friday to have a special celebration tea with the Mayor, before watching Caitlin’s light being switched on for the very first time.
“The whole school is delighted because as part of the competition, we will be receiving our own copy of Caitlin’s decoration for the whole school to enjoy. We are hoping it can form the centrepiece of our school’s decorations this Christmas and for many years to come.”
Caitlin's design will be prominently displayed on a lamp post on Regent Street in Gateshead town centre. Two lights have been created depicting Caitlin's design have been made, so the school can keep one.
The children will be performing Christmas carols in the main foyer at Gateshead Civic Centre at 4.45pm on Friday 25 November before assisting with the switch-on outside the Civic Centre at 5.00pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.