THERE are going to be some exciting new additions for Burley-in-Wharfedale’s famous Christmas lights switch-on event this year, which takes place on Saturday, November 30, alongside a Christmas market and craft fair.

A team of volunteers, led by Tom Sumner, have been busy putting up the light fixtures since early October in preparation for the village's 43rd display.

This year there will be a brand new owl trail to complement the much-loved pair of owls next to the Pudding Tree Gardens. There are going to be ten new coloured owl lights to find all around the village, in amongst all the lights which now include Grange Park and go all the way up to the station.

This year the Christmas Lights will be turned on by Joe Moore from Liverpool, brother of boxer Billy Moore, at around 4.25pm. They are well known for their fundraising for respite facilities for people with special needs.

Burley Main Street will be closed from midday until 6.30pm and a diversion will be set up for traffic via Back Lane, Grange Road and Station Road. Parking restrictions will be in place along Station Road and Grange Road, and the bus will be diverted along this route. Residents are requested to refrain from parking between the two mini-roundabouts and at the junction of Grange Road and Station Road.

Festivities start at 11.30am when the Methodist Church will open with an interactive journey through the love of songs and they will be serving refreshments. In the Salem church, there will be a Burley-Tereli Friendship Trust (Mali) display and refreshments will be served in the Church Hall from 2pm. The Queens Hall will open at 1pm and is the venue for a craft fair and the Guides tea and cakes, as well as a performance by the Unity Ukes. There will be lots of stalls selling a range of gifts, crafts, food, artwork and books. Entry is free.

At 2pm the Street Market will open on Main Street near the Grange. The Christmas Market this year has a range of artisan stalls from independent local crafters, as well as Moss and Moor with their gift hampers filled with locally sourced and ‘The best of Yorkshire’ produce. So you can start your Christmas shopping on Main Street with a Baileys Hot Chocolate, or whilst enjoying one of the many food offerings from Sachi’s, the Otley Burger Company or even a Hog Roast from The Red Lion. There will also be fairground rides in the park and plenty of mulled wine to enjoy from all the local establishments. Santa’s Sleigh will be available for visits from 3pm-5pm.

The lights switch-on build-up starts at about 3pm with performances from the Burley Community Choir, the Ilkley Roses Choir, the Performance Drama School and the ever-popular combined Burley Oaks and Burley Woodhead schools choir. Canon Tim Swinglehurst will give his Christmas thoughts at about 4pm.

Finally, Burley Cricket Club will open their doors at 4pm for an after-lights party with more entertainment, food and drinks.

A spokesperson said: "Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust (BWCT) organises this annual village event as part of their many events and activities, with funding help from the Parish Council. There are so many different volunteers who make this happen. Our trustees will be out and about with collection buckets, and collection tubs are also available in the shops and the businesses around the village. Please give generously towards this annual festive celebration to ensure that the tradition carries on. If you would like to find out more about the Trust or join as a member please visit our website at www.burleyinwharfedalecommunitytrust.org"