Leader's column: Charitable Christmas thoughts

In her latest column for us, Tameside Council leader Cllr Brenda Warrington writes about the different festive celebrations in the borough this year and how we should think of those less fortunate more than ever before this Christmas.

As we enter the final weeks of 2020 it has unfortunately become clear that our usual Christmas celebrations will not be taking place in Tameside this year. But while we may not be able to gather together, we’ve still made an effort to spread some festive cheer.

One of the highlights of our Christmas events has always been the light switch-ons in our towns, which culminates with the famous Lantern Parade. 

In its place for this year, our Cultural Services put together a magical celebration of music, dancing and crafts based on the 12 Days of Christmas. 

Every town was given its own theme, which saw primary school children in Hyde helping with the creation of a ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree’ art installation, and residents in Dukinfield making their own crochet French Hens.

Carol singing is one of the most loved Christmas traditions, which is why the Tameside Music Service worked with local charity The Sylvia Swiffin Trust to organise the Big Christmas Sing on December 13. 

This gave residents the opportunity to listen and sing along to a carol concert recorded by our talented local schoolchildren and students. Song sheets were also distributed to those in hospitals, care homes and others who might feel especially isolated.

As always during the Christmas period, our thoughts should turn to those who are less fortunate than us. In 2020 this has become more important than ever. 

So many in Tameside and the UK as a whole continue to suffer the health consequences and economic fallout of the terrible coronavirus pandemic. An incredible 2,000 toys have been donated to Action Together’s annual Tameside Toy Appeal, which brings Christmas gifts and magic to local children and young people living in poverty. 

We’re also supporting Active Tameside’s ‘The Great Christmas Takeaway’ campaign, which has set out to make sure that nobody in the borough goes without a meal in the run-up to Christmas Day.

There’s absolutely no doubt that 2020 has been the most difficult year that many of us have ever faced. 

So much of what we have taken for granted has been thrown into turmoil and uncertainty, but amidst all of this we’ve taken hope from the resilience and solidarity shown by our key workers and communities. Let’s work together one last time this year to make sure that nobody, whoever or wherever they are, feels left behind in Tameside this Christmas.