OLYMPIC heroes from Rugby will switch on the town’s Christmas lights later this month.
Lauren Henry brought home a gold medal from this year’s Paris Olympics.
Rower Lauren Henry, canoeist Kimberley Woods and judoka Chelsie Giles will be the star guests at the town centre event, which takes place on Sunday November 17 between 12 noon and 6pm.
The switch-on, which is expected to attract a crowd of around 8,000, will feature a programme of live music and dance, a funfair, children’s entertainment, street food and stalls spread across North Street, Church Street, Market Place, Regent Street, Henry Street, Albert Street, Bank Street and other areas of the town centre.
The event is being delivered by Rugby First on behalf of Rugby Borough Council.
Rower Kimberley Woods won two bronze medals at the Paris games.
Rugby First Business Director Linda Lowne said: “The Christmas Light Switch-On is the biggest annual event in Rugby town centre. Thousands of people come into the town to enjoy the event and provide a much-welcomed boost to the town centre economy, through shopping, eating and drinking – a great way to support the local business community.”
Gold-winning Lauren Henry, born and raised in Rugby, was a member of Team GB’s triumphant Women’s Quadruple Sculls team at the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer. She has told The Observer her goal is to be ‘the most successful female rower ever from Great Britain’.
Bronze-winning judoka Chelsie Giles, pictured clinching World Championship silver in 2022. Picture by IJF.
Rugbeian Kimberley Woods won bronze medals in both the kayak cross and kayak single events at the Paris games.
And Wolston-based Chelsie Giles won bronze in the judo event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
All three Olympians have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.
Visit www.rugbyfirst.org for information and updates about the Christmas light switch-on.
