The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) showed its ongoing support for the local community by sponsoring the Southfields Christmas lights for the 14th consecutive year.
Crowds of local residents gathered to watch the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool switch on this year’s lights. The event was opened by the Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Rosemary Birchall, alongside All England Club Chair Deborah Jevans CBE and Southfields Business Forum Chair Rachel Roberts. Local Cllr Guy Humphries was also present to join in the celebrations as was Steve Seddon from AFC Wimbledon’s men’s first team.
Pupils from Sheringdale, Riversdale and St Michael’s Primary Schools delighted the audience with Christmas songs while the Gemini Dancers and Singology choir also entertained the crowds.
Following the switch-on ceremony, residents enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies provided by local businesses, as well as an opportunity to browse Christmas market stalls and support local shops.
Rachel Roberts, Chair of the Southfields Business Forum, commented, “We were thrilled to welcome so many Southfields residents and friends to our Christmas lights switch on which is such a great start to the festive period. We’re incredibly grateful to the All England Club for supporting our local community and for helping to make this wonderful event possible.”
Deborah Jevans, Chair of the All England Club, commented, “The Southfields Christmas Lights switch on is always a highlight for us as part of the festive season. We are delighted to continue our support for this special event, working closely with the Southfields Business Forum, to help bring Christmas cheer to the local community.”
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, Wimbledon 2025 gentlemen’s doubles champions, said, “We’re really proud to be switching on the Southfields Christmas lights, especially after our win at Wimbledon this summer. Becoming the first all‑British gentlemen’s doubles champions at The Championships in 89 years was a dream come true for both of us. It is great to be back in Southfields tonight for this special local community event. A huge thank you to the All England Club for supporting the Christmas lights.”
The Southfields Christmas Lights brings to a close a busy year of the All England Club’s community engagement programme, where more than 2,000 people have been to its community events and its Learning programme has engaged with more than 16,000 people in the last year. In addition, the Wimbledon Foundation, the charity of the All England Club and The Championships, has distributed grants and donations totalling £1.8 million to more than 100 charitable projects in Merton and Wandsworth this year, including homeless shelters, advice services and food provision.
Additionally, more than 7,500 items including plants, towels, nets, clothing and shoes were gifted to local organisations and support groups.
