In a week where Preston and Lancashire has seen magical snowfall and Christmas lights are being put up all around us, we’re feeling more festive than ever.

As we head closer and closer to the most wonderful time of the year, we’re struggling to hide our excitement – it’s just over two weeks until the big day!

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However, as we start to feel more festive, cases of the Omicron variant are rising and mandatory masks have been brought back in certain settings. The government are remaining hopeful that Christmas will go ahead as normal though, and we are too!

So, without further ado, here are five stories you may have missed from Blog Preston in the past week.

In pictures: The Tippings switch on their magical fundraising Christmas lights in Cottam

Not even Storm Arwen could deter hundreds of people from turning out to celebrate what has now become for many the official start of the festive season in Preston – the Tippings Christmas lights switch on.

For the 10th consecutive year, the Tipping family’s Valentines Meadow home in Cottam is now a beacon of light and hope following Friday evening’s (November 26) switch on, which was accompanied by a fireworks display.

It will stay lit up until the 12th night (Wednesday, January 5) to raise funds for four local charities, one of which is Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Read the full story here.

South Ribble premises join ‘safe space’ scheme to help disabled people in need

In October 2021, PC Ash and Torsif from Preston’s Community Cohesion Team worked in partnership with Disability Equality North West (DENW) to sign up premises in and around Preston to be a ‘safe place’ for those who may be vulnerable.

The safe place scheme helps people if they feel scared or at risk whilst out and about in the community.

It ensures people can access help straightaway.

Read the full story here.

Urgent calls for Preston vaccination centre volunteers as thousands more become eligible for booster jab

Volunteers are urgently required to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Preston and Lancashire.

Booster jabs will soon be available for those aged 18 to 39 which means thousands more people will become eligible for a further dose of the vaccine.

Vaccination centres rely heavily on volunteers who provide marshalling both within buildings and on car parks to help make sure people feel safe and confident when attending for their appointments.

Read the full story here.

St Walburge’s Church to host community Christmas Carol Service

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On Thursday, December 9, St Walburge’s Church will host a Christmas Carols Service which will see schools of Preston come together and sing.

In addition to hosting the schools of Preston, the church will be welcoming the Lancashire County Council leader and six other district mayors of Lancashire who will be supporting the St Walburge’s roof repair project.

Read the full story here.

Cards for Kindness to be distributed to those in care homes across Preston and Lancashire

A heart-warming winter campaign encouraging people to send Christmas cards to residents in local care homes launched Wednesday December 1.

Cards for Kindness, now in its fourth year, aims to tackle loneliness and isolation in care homes across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The theme for this year’s scheme is ‘What warms your heart this winter?’ and people are being asked to include examples of what makes them happy alongside their festive greetings.

Read the full story here.

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