In pictures: Christmas countdown begins (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

In pictures: Christmas countdown begins

1:00pm Friday 4th December 2009

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Richmond was filled with festive fun as Christmas lights were switched on across the borough.

Thousands lined the streets to mark the beginning of festivities and to see colourful Christmas lights sparkle in Hampton Hill, Teddington, Twickenham and Whitton.

In Twickenham, Harlequins players drew a crowd of more than 2,000 last Friday. Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Ollie Kohn signed autographs for fans before flipping the switch to turn on the lights.

In Teddington, Coronation Street actress Sarah Lancashire had the honour of kicking off the town’s festivities. Ponies dressed as reindeer gave children rides, raising £100 for Help for Heroes, and choirs from the National Physical Laboratory and Collis Primary School sang carols.

In Hampton Hill, more than 6,000 people hit the streets last Friday for the village’s annual parade and Santa Dash in aid of the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice and African Revival.

Susan Green, parade organiser, said: “It was a great night with the biggest crowd ever.”

Nelson Primary School, in Whitton, was transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an outdoor ice skating rink and fake snow machine.

At Lady Eleanor Holles School, in Hampton, youngsters collected more than 200 shoe boxes full of presents – and £400 – for Operation Christmas Child.

Parishioners from St Francis de Sales Church, Hampton Hill, gathered for an all-male Christmas pudding making for charity.

Celebrities are producing a Christmas charity single in aid of Hampton’s Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

Roy Wood, from the band Wizzard and Dave Hill, from Slade, joined forces with former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read and Weybridge singer Elliott Frisby, to record My Christmas Card To You. The song is available to download from Sunday.

Adam Petrie, head of communications at Shooting Star, said: “We want people to raise as much money as possible.”

It can be pre-ordered by texting XMAS09 to 78789, texts cost £1.50.

• Do you have the best Christmas lights in Richmond? Send us a picture, including your name and contact details, by email (hbarnes@london.newsquest.co.uk), phone the newsdesk on 020 8744 4288 or leave a comment below.

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