Saturday Breakfast presenter Antonia Jones spent the afternoon speaking to some of the market traders and community groups who set up stalls in the High Street at this year’s Lighting Up Brentwood.

Yet again all of the traders were glad to take part in the community event and many contributed in their very own special way to take part in this year’s festivities.

Garath and Ray Rouse owners of The Only Way Is Coffee stall, have been involved in Lighting Up Brentwood for several years and were on standby to serve the local community with a mixture of tasty beverages. 

Ray said: “It’s been a pleasure working at this event each year, it was great last year and we are glad to be a part of such a fantastic event which brings the community together, which is why we keep on coming back.”

Karen Lane, owner of Ab Fab Catering, had on sale fresh food and a range of festive gifts all in aid of Macmillian Cancer Support and Cancer Research.

Karen said: “We love being involved and it is so great to see the community sprit here in the High Street. It’s such a joy that everyone can contribute by buying from us and we hope to raise as much money as we can for charity.”

Couple Pete and Rosie Graham who attend Doddinghurst Road Community Church, have been taking part in the Light up Brentwood event for the past three years. This year they decided to brave the cold weather and entertain the children dressed up as Mary and Joseph.

Rosie said: “We are spent the entire afternoon entertaining the children giving out sweets and taking pictures with the youngest and their families. We loving staying until the evening when the lights switch on which makes the day even more special for everyone.”