A ‘VERY Christmassy’ pub landlady in Middlewich has unveiled plans for a new festive lights switch-on event, which she says will be the first of many. 

This is publican Clare Lee’s first Christmas at the helm of the Turnpike pub on Warmingham Lane, and she’s setting her stall out with a day-long Christmas lights switch-on extravaganza. 

From noon on Sunday, December 1, the pub will be transformed grotto-style, with a visit from Santa, a chance to ride a real rodeo reindeer, and market stalls from local businesses selling Christmas gifts and treats.

The pub’s Christmas lights switch-on is at 5pm prompt, which may be done by a special guest who footballs fans young (and old) would be keen to meet.  

This all leads up to its Big Christmas Quiz, which is set to kick off at 6.30pm.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to a worthy local cause, St Luke’s Hopsice, which provides first-class end-of-life care to adults suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Clare said: “Oh, I’m very much a Christmas person. I absolutely love it.

“I took over the pub in February, so this is my first Christmas here, and I just wanted to do something special for regulars, and the wider community.

“Our special guest, who we’re just waiting to confirm, actually drinks here, though if you’re not in on the secret, you’d never recognise him without his costume.

“There’ll be lots going on including games stalls, a raffle, and a human tombola.

“We’ll also have a hot drinks area in the dining room, and we’re serving takeaway burgers and hotdogs rather than our normal Sunday menu."

Clare has grand plans to make the Turnpike’s Christmas lights switch-on an important annual event for Middlewich residents. 

She added: “We’re hoping to make this a yearly thing, adding more lights each year, so it just keeps getting bigger and better.”