THE community of Burley-in-Wharfedale, has stepped up to make sure its popular Christmas Street Market continues alongside the village’s lights switch-on and indoor craft fair.

The Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust (BWCT) has taken over the running of the market, which this year takes place on Saturday, December 1from 1pm to 5.30pm. BWCT will organise the event with the support of the chamber of trade, BADCOT, which ran it for 15 years.

Duncan Ault, BWCT chair, said: “It’s wonderful that so many people have come together to help make this another great afternoon for our village. We know that the markets and the lights switch-on is a highlight for many people in the run up to Christmas.”

The Craft Fair in the Queens Hall is from 1pm; Street market, rides and Father Christmas from 2pm; School choirs and Ukulele Jammers from 3.30pm and lights switch on at 4.30pm.

The Street Market will include Christmas trees, gifts, food and drink and traction engines. Several great local charities will also be represented. Father Christmas will be outside Burley Grange, along with several rides. Main Street will be closed from noon until 6pm with a diversion into Grange Road.

The Craft Fair includes the launch of the Burley Painting by Ian Middleton and many stalls. The Community Trust leads on the Christmas lights (with funding assistance from Burley Parish Council). Volunteers have been out putting up the lights since the end of October. led by Tom Sumner. He said: “The lights started 37 years ago with a simple string of lights and now has grown to the fantastic display we have today. The volunteers come out for six weekends before the switch-on and work in all weathers but this year we have been blessed with good weather so far.” The lights switch-on will be preceded by musical contributions and an address from Rev Jason McCullagh from Salem Church. The details of a guest celebrity are still to be revealed.

There will be a display of illuminated nativity scenes in the Methodist Church, more nativity scenes and refreshments in the Salem Church, tea and cakes in the Round House supplied by the Wharfedale Scone Roses, and an after lights party at the Cricket Club.

Thanks to Jan Lepley for organising the street market, Nick Turnbull for his work on the craft fair, Mike Parker for traffic management control, Alan Hayes and the Red Lion team, Danny Schofield and the BADCOT team who have done so much over many years, and Rob Pawson.

BADCOT communications officer, Jane Cameron said: ‘We’re delighted and relieved that BWCT has been able to take up the mantle of organising this highlight of the Wharfedale calendar. BADCO has been running the market ever since our founder, Roger Charnley BEM, set it up but had begun to struggle due to increased red tape and a need for more volunteers. The Community Trust is the perfect organisation to take on the job and we’re very grateful.”