CHRISTMAS is set to arrive with a bang this year as lead singer of the ‘80s pop group Swing Out Sister is due to turn on Highbury Barn’s Christmas Lights. The group rose to fame in 1986 with the UK number-4 top chart hit ‘Breakout’.
The event will kick off this Sunday 27 November at 5.30pm taking place in the Highbury Barn Square.
Former Highbury Councillor Terry Stacy, who organsied the event, said: “Highbury Barn is a vibrant enclave of independent traders which is a wonderful showcase for our community and is one of the things that makes Islington so special.”
Corrine Drewery, the lead vocalist of the pop band, will join the long list of celebrities who have come before her to bring some Christmas spirit to Highbury, including Coronation Street’s Charlie Condou, Sherlock’s Rupert Graves, and Radio 4’s Nick Robinson.
Local butcher Chris Godfrey, whose family have been trading on the Barn for over 100 years, said: “Highbury Barn is unique in every way. Our Christmas event centres around promoting independent traders and our community at the same time as celebrating everything that is special about Christmas and reminds people the importance of ‘shopping local’ all year round.”
Alongside Corrine, it will be attended by local traders, residents, and children from nearby schools. It will also feature a performance by the St Joan of Arc Church choir.
The ‘switch on’ will not only bring some festive fun to Highbury as Islington Council is funding the event to encourage residents to shop locally and support the local economy through the cost-of-living crisis.
For more details on the event, see here.
