THE two people chosen to switch on Falmouth’s Christmas lights this year – say they have been "overwhelmed" by honour.

Andrea Fifield and Pete Marland were nominated to switch on the lights this year after being nominated for their work sewing NHS scrubs during lockdown.

It is traditional in Falmouth for the public to nominate who should get the honour of switching on the town’s lights display at the end of each November, and Andrea and Pete were no exception.

"We are feeling really overwhelmed and honoured to be chosen by the public to be switching on the Falmouth Christmas lights this year," Andrea told the Packet. "We are very humbled after having looked at some of the reasons why we have been nominated.

"The scrubs part of our life was the one of the only things that kept us going throughout the darkest times in the first lock down."

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The Cornwall scrubs effort was led by Annie Lucas, owner of sewing school Start to Stitch, with an amazing team of very skilled admins who had worked extremely long hours to get the project off the ground efficiently and professionally.

Pete was a volunteer driver as well as a sewer covering over 2,000 miles in his car the then called "scrub hub rocket".

Andrea played her part by ironing seams and folds into fabric ready for sewing, reading out instructions on how to make items and also generally supporting Pete, like a well oiled machine.

"We were part of a team of more than 350 sewers and other volunteers stretching for Launceston to Penzance," said Andrea.

In total over 2,000 sets of scrubs, over 3,000 scrub caps and 1,500 wash bags were made and distributed to all in need One of Pete’s many passions is sewing, so throwing together a few bags for a charity shop to sell with some old curtain samples that was given to him, was partially a way of reducing his fabric stash whilst doing something good for a local charity," said Andrea.

"We just do what we do no questions asked, if someone needs help and we can help them we will."

They are usually people who have done something special for the town, and this year is no exception.

The reason for them being chosen can be summed up in one of the nominations, which read: “These two people’s act of kindness has blown me away. They continue to this day. Even though they are both back working they continue sewing and supporting people in need. It’s really amazing."

Andrea and Pete will now be up on the big stage on The Moor next Thursday, November 25, ready to switch on the lights at 7pm.

The evening will follow a similar format to 2019, with the parade leaving Events Square and Discovery Quay at around 5.30pm to 5.40pm.

It will then move up through the town to The Moor, where various performances will take place including the primary school children on the stage.