BARROW’S big Christmas lights switch on was performed by Councillor Jim Park in 1990, which put the seal on the town’s brightest Saturday night of that year.

The Salvation Army Band were presented.

They had played from mid-morning until late afternoon, mixing Christmas carols with traditional songs such as ‘Greensleeves’.

The generous shoppers of Barrow were not slow to fill the Salvation Army donation boxes laid out in the street.

A jazz band played outside the Forum building with a Santa Claus, complete with the chimney holding audience.

Inside Forum 28, the children of Barrow and Distract were enjoying the atmosphere of the evening thanks to the sponsorship of MacDonald’s hamburger store.

They were invited to perform to the crowd, as they sang festive songs including the Grand old Duke of York. Several children later volunteered to give solos on the stage before the appreciative audience.

Barrow children were among the land’s merriest and they join in all fun that went on as the celebration continued.

Their enthusiasm was so energic, that parents were revitalised by them whilst undertaking the seasons shopping.

The takings of the event were in aid of the Gemma Ward Appeal.

In the back rooms of the Forum 28, a specially themed Dickensian Fayre was held.

The top hatted, yellow bow tied Thorncliffe School teacher Mr Neil Honeyman had organised a large majority of the event.

A wonderful selection of Victorian postcards, stamps, coins, china, lace, crocket, and hundreds of ancient toy soldiers were on offer for the public.

Mrs Jane Dawes, who lived in Portsmouth, and who lived in the same parish as Charles Dickens, had priced all her goods in old fashioned pounds, pence, and shillings.

She was also selling prints of the house that Dickens once lived in and had a myriad of other items to sell.

The odd item was suitably priced in guineas.

At the room’s entrance two charmingly dressed young ladies in Victorian clothing were doing a good trade in the tombola tickets to help the BBC’s children in need fund.

As Barrow’s entertainment officer Charles Sanders said: “Everyone has had a nice day out. That’s what it’s all about.”