Schoolboy turns on cathedral lights (From The Northern Echo)

Schoolboy turns on cathedral lights

10:40am Monday 22nd December 2008 in

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A SCHOOLBOY lit up the darkness at a traditional Christmas service held yesterday.

Peter Phillips followed the choir and clergymen with processional candles along a darkened aisle of Durham Cathedral.

As choristers’ sang Ding Ding Merrily On High, the seven-year-old switched on more than 2,000 lights on the 30ft tree, heralding the start of Christmas at the cathedral.

Peter, a pupil at Shincliffe Church of England Primary School, said: “I am happy and proud to have switched on the Christmas lights.

“I was surprised when I found out that they wanted me to do it. I was a little bit nervous but it was enjoyable.

“It lit up the whole of the cathedral.”

Peter and his brother, Aidan, attend the Sunday School, while their sister, Catherine, eight months, attends the creche.

Their parents, Chris and Hannah Phillips, are regular members of the cathedral congregation.

Mrs Phillips, 28, from Durham, said: “I am exceptionally proud and we are very, very honoured.

“He has been excited and nervous since we told him he was going to do it – maybe a little bit more nervous than he has been letting on, but I think he did very well.”

Each year, people from the Durham area leave presents under the tree to be distributed to less fortunate families and children by the Salvation Army.

They ask that any gift is marked with a likely age and gender of the recipient and does not contain perishable items, such as sweets.

Donations that are left in the box by the tree are divided between Save the Children, the Children’s Society, the NSPCC and Mencap.

The Dean, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, said: “The lighting of the Christmas Tree is always a magical event. For us at the cathedral, it’s the launch of the festive season of joy, celebration, and thankfulness. As dean, I cherish walking through the darkened cathedral with the child who has been chosen to light the candle on the tree – it’s a great highlight of the year.

“I am sure that for Peter, it’s a moment he will never forget.”