Eighties Icon Welcomes Dorset Care Home Residents for Christmas Lights Switch-On

Music legend Paul Young welcomed residents from a Dorset care home for a town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

One of the UK’s best loved vocalists, Paul was the star guest as Sturminster Newton celebrated the start of advent with its annual community get-together.

The fun took place around a main Christmas tree and decorations sponsored this year by Colten Care’s Outstanding-rated care home in the town, Newstone House.

Two residents, Pat Steer and Gerald Blackburn, accompanied by the home’s Companionship Team Leader Karlene Duffy, braved the cold to attend and were thrilled to be part of the event and to meet Paul.

Together they joined a lantern parade in the town centre with local families and school children.

Gerald said: “What a wonderful evening to see all the families enjoy themselves and celebrate the start of Christmas.”

Pat said: “I was a little chilly but it was worth it to join in and see all the wonderful lights and smiles on everyone’s faces.”

Companionship Team Leader Karlene Duffy said: “Even though we were bracing ourselves for the storm due to hit England, that didn’t stop us.

“Gerald and Pat were more than happy to brave the weather and help with the local tradition.

Paul Young’s top ten hits in the 1980s included Wherever I Lay My Hat, Every Time You Go Away and Everything Must Change.

He still tours and records with his Tex-Mex-influenced band Los Pacaminos which he formed in 1993 and who played at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton on the night of the lights switch-on.