Switch-on at Whitecross Street with Mayor of Islington Cllr Una O’Halloran, Cllr Claudia Webbe, Cllr Troy Gallagher and events sponsor RPM

• IT was great to see so many people at the Whitecross Street Christmas lights switch-on. There was plenty of Christmas cheer as the Mayor of Islington led the countdown along with Councillor Claudia Webbe, myself and RPM, which sponsored the events.

Many people braved the cold weather, wrapped up in hats and scarves, to see Santa in his grotto and join in the singing. The excited faces of children and their parents’ smiles made the event so worthwhile.

It was the first time in seven years that Whitecross Street had Christmas lights. My fellow Bunhill councillors and I were determined to source funding for the event and set aside local funds to build on this for future Whitecross festive events.

I want to say a huge thank-you to RPM and Whitecross Tenants’ Association for making the event possible. The children of Prior Weston, St Luke’s and Richard Cloudesley schools who participated in the competition to design the poster for the event also deserve a special mention.

Winning posters designed by Yarnissa Maneechak, Niamh Hood and Isadora McCarthy had an extra Christmassy sparkle.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone in Islington a wonderful Christmas and a happy 2018.

CLLR TROY GALLAGHER
Labour, Bunhill ward