Christmas comes to Brixton

Archbishop Sumner school's steel pans entertain people waiting for switch-on
Archbishop Sumner school’s steel pans entertain people waiting for switch-on

Brixton’s Christmas season got off to a cold but musical start as Corpus Christ school’s singers, led by teacher Kate Smart, performed outside the Sainsbury’s at the foot of Tulse Hill and then at the Christmas tree next to the Bowie mural in Tunstall Road.

Brixton resident Levi Roots joined them in Tulse Hill – near to where he spent his early years in Leander Road – and in a short speech emphasised how his continuing local links keep him grounded in a high-flying career, which includes running his Caribbean Smokehouse restaurant at Westfield in Stratford.

Mary Atkins, Marcia Cameron and Levi Roots outside Tulse Hill Sainsbury's
Mary Atkins, Marcia Cameron and Levi Roots outside Tulse Hill Sainsbury’s

 

Thanking Sainsbury's staff
Thanking Sainsbury’s staff

 

Corpus Christ school singers
Corpus Christ school singers

 

Santa snatches a snap
Santa snatches a snap

He was greeted by Santa Claus and local councillors Mary Atkins and Marcia Cameron – who is also this year’s mayor of Lambeth.

The mayor moved on to central Brixton to join the countdown to the switch-on of the Christmas tree lights and was entertained once again by Corpus Christi’s singers, steel pans from Archbishop Sumner school in Kennington and local favourites Brasstermind.

 

Lights on Acre Lane
Lights on Acre Lane

Brasstermind
Brasstermind

 

Mayor Cameron and Brixton Business Improvement District director Michael Smith count down to the switch on
Mayor Cameron and Brixton Business Improvement District director Michael Smith count down to the switch on

 

Lights on
Lights on