Chew Moor Christmas lights switch-on brings festive cheer

On Sunday, December 7, families gathered at the pub for a festive evening of mulled wine and carols, to celebrate their lighting up of their new community Christmas tree.

The tree was planted after controversy, when Bolton Council’s planning committee voted to allow a 19-space car park to be built on the site of a former church on St John’s Road in Chew Moor.

The area had been used as an “informal village green”, and the planning committee heard that the green was a “major feature of the village for generations”.

The decision subsequently left many residents in the village “devastated” by the loss of the green and the old community Christmas tree.

In response, The Duke of Wellington pub, on St John’s Road, stepped in and planted the new community Christmas tree on their grounds.

Cllr Andy Morgan said: “A huge thank you to everyone who turned out for the Christmas fair and lights switch-on at The Duke of Wellington.

“Albeit freezing, it felt a little warmer as the village came together.

“Massive thanks to Adam, Sophie and the pub team for hosting such a brilliant event.”

He also thanked local businesses for their contributions, including Toughsheet Building Products for supplying new benches at cost, and others who helped with electrics and turfing around the tree.

“All we need to do now is get the memorial plaques from the old benches and put them on the new ones by the tree,” he said.

“We wanted to make a big thing of it because people were so upset that the tree had gone” (From left to right: Cllr Andy Morgan, Sophie McGrath, Super John McGinlay, Adam Griffiths, Jamie McGinlay) (Image: Supplied)

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The Duke of Wellington’s manager, Sophie McGrath, said the pub wanted to give the village something to celebrate after the loss of the green.

She said: “With the incredible generosity and support of residents, we have jointly funded and established a new tree that the whole community can once again be proud of.”

The highlight of the evening came when Bolton Wanderers legend Super John McGinlay flicked the switch to illuminate the village’s brand-new tree.

Sunday’s event also featured local traders, festive treats and family-friendly activities.

There was a very special performance by four-year-old Maverick McGrath who sang I'm A Little Snowman and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Morgan said the new tree is more than just decoration, “it’s a symbol of unity for our village, and we hope it brings everyone closer together this Christmas and for many more years to come.”

The Duke of Wellington will continue spreading festive cheer with a Breakfast with Santa morning for children on Sunday, December 21.

For more details, visit the pub’s Facebook page or website.