SEVEN-YEAR-OLD William Bland got to follow in his older brother’s footsteps when he switched on the Christmas tree lights in Durham Cathedral.
William was watched by a congregation of several hundred people including proud parents John and Louise, as well as sister Annabel, four.
But brother Joshua was otherwise engaged. He had seen it all before, having performed the same ceremony himself six years ago.
Dad John, a teacher at Durham Choristers School next door to the cathedral, said: “William was very excited although he only found out a week ago that he had been chosen. It is something he will always remember.”
The switching on of the lights straight after Evensong has become an annual tradition in the cathedral, and Dean of Durham Michael Sadgrove said: “I always think that Christmas has really begun when the lights of the tree are switched on.
“We think having a child to switch on the lights is fitting because Christmas is such a special time for children.”
Each year local company Ward Brothers donate a tree to the Cathedral.
This year it is a locally grown Norwegian Spruce which stands at more than 25 feet.
The service finished with the Blessing of the Crib.
The figures for the Crib were carved in the mid-1970s by Michael Doyle, a retired miner from Houghton-le-Spring.
The wood, seasoned oak from County Durham’s Raby Estate, was a gift from landowner Lord Barnard.
The figures refer to the mining industry. Mr Doyle’s ‘donkey’ is actually a pit pony with its harness and trappings, the crib is a ‘choppie box’ in which the ponies were given their feed underground and the innkeeper is dressed as a miner with a whippet at his side.
The Dean said: “The lighting of the Christmas tree and the blessing of the crib always signals the final run into Christmas for us here. The whole tree is brought to life by 1,000 fairy lights. It’s a really memorable moment.
“The atmosphere was tremendous, very exciting and very anticipatory, full of enjoyment and full of hope. Because Christmas celebrates the coming of a child the tree being lit up is a very powerful message.
“It’s a festival for all people. The story of the birth of Jesus is a story of light and hope for everybody, not just Christians.”
Carols included Once in Royal David’s City and Away in a Manger.
Christmas services at the cathedral this week include the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Thursday at 7pm, and again on Saturday at 3pm.
