Newbury Town Council is very pleased to announce that arrangements are now finalised for the Christmas Lights Switch-On in the Market Place, Newbury at 5pm on Friday 27 November 2009.

The winners of our Christmas art competition have been chosen, and they will have the exciting job of actually pushing the plunger with the Mayor of Newbury, Kuldip Singh Kang. The winners names are:

Under 5’s age group: Jonathan Pannett-Smith
5 – 7 age group: Hannah Gibbon
8- 12 age group: Abby McDevitt

An exciting programme of activities has been established, providing entertainment for all the family.

Ifor Sheldon, Leader of the Council, said, “Newbury Town Council know that the Christmas Lights give enjoyment to lots of people and that they are a key part of the festive period in the town.  Newbury is a tremendous town with so much to offer at Christmas-time, so do come to the big switch-on, support our partners, enjoy the lights with your friends, and make a great night of it!”

Watership Brass Band (The Town Band) will be playing carols in the Market Place from 4:30pm to start this traditional festive evening.
                                             
Santa and his sleigh will start the procession along Northbrook Street to the Market Place, leaving the Methodist Church at 4:30pm.  The procession will be led by the Town Crier, 3 wonderful stilt walkers and a group of children from the Dragon Club at Speenhamland School.  The winners of our Christmas Art Competition will accompany Santa in his sleigh, together with the Newbury’s 2009 Carnival Queen and her attendant.
                                        
Santa and his entourage will be joined by the Mayor and the choir from St Nicolas Church before arriving at the stage, located in the Market Place at around 4:50pm.

Newbury Sound’s radio presenter, Stuart McGinley, will be compering the evening and after a few words from the Mayor and a countdown from the crowd, the Mayor and our three winners will press the plunger to transform the Market Place into a sparkling spectacle, courtesy of the lights provided by Millennium Quest and funded by the Town Council.

The switch-on in the Market Place will be immediately followed by traditional carols led by the St Nicolas Church Choir.  Unlike previous years, when the event has moved on to the Wharf and Victoria Park, everything this year is centered around the Market Place and the Christmas Tree.  It’s such a wonderful space for an event such as this.  Look out for snow and laser lighting!

Father Christmas has even brought two of his reindeer with him. Come and see them in the Market Place during the evening. There will be hot food and drinks, sweets, candy floss and donuts available to keep you warm in the Market Place before our live band, “From Dusk ‘til Dawn” do an hour of live music on our stage so we invite everyone to stay for some dancing and enjoy the music until 7pm.

Newbury Town Council would like to thank Newbury Sound, Donnington Valley Hotel and the Market Traders for sponsoring this year’s Christmas tree in the Market Place.
                                                       
Newbury Town Council would like to thank GJ Burgess Haulage for providing the stage for the event, and Arena Seating for kindly providing equipment.  We would also like to thank the Newbury Rotary Club, the Newbury Lions and Costain for kindly supplying their time for marshaling to help make this a safe and special event.  
                                                  
And of course a big thank you for the support from the Police, Bridgegate Security, West Berkshire Council and Newbury Town Council who have all contributed in different but significant ways in ensuring a safe event for everyone.

All those involved in the switch-on wish everyone a safe and fun-filled event and a very Merry Christmas.  Come on down and join the fun!!!

Is there a celebrity this year?

Quoted from Radbourne

Is there a celebrity this year?

Can't you read?

Quoted Text

Newbury Sound’s radio presenter, Stuart McGinley...

Quoted from Radbourne

Is there a celebrity this year?

Hungerford has Bear Gryls........

Quoted from 78

Hungerford has Bear Gryls........

Bare Girls     When is this happening please tell.  

Bath had actor Nicolas Cage.

Who needs celebs?
Newbury had a band that can't keep time and a lead singer that can't sing!

Quoted from MoonPhoenix

Who needs celebs?
Newbury had a band that can't keep time and a lead singer that can't sing!

..and you did what?

Quoted from 9

..and you did what?

I'm possibly not understanding what you are asking.

The event was cute enough, and the rock band a pretty kushty idea...
It's great seeing so many progressive elements to the towns events.

Having waited in town for said mentioned band and party...
The band while passable, was mired by the singers ability to hit the right note or stay in key.

Wasn't criticising the event, just saying I enjoyed it, and went home with a smile on my face from the bands karaoki style performance.

Quoted from MoonPhoenix

Who needs celebs?
Newbury had a band that can't keep time and a lead singer that can't sing!

Quoted from MoonPhoenix

Wasn't criticising the event, just saying I enjoyed it, and went home with a smile on my face from the bands karaoki style performance.

Sorry about that then, perhaps that wasn't sarcasm after all.

Anyway. What about Newbury's tree this year?

I understand that the town council usually spend around £1500 of my money on a large tree imported from Norway (I know, but that's the Lib Dems for ya), yet this year it's a local tree from someone's garden!

Now, I am impressed with such fiscal restraint, and look forward to hearing what the spare £1500 has been spent on.

Well done on the lights switch on. Note to contractors - next year can you include Bartholomew Street? They were in the dark again!

I think the tree looks fine, I hope a tree was planted in its place!  

lights in market place looks fine, the broad way is utter rubbish. looked at it last night only two strings of lights down here and one of them has not worked since they were put up. half the street lights are out, there are no lamp post decorations on the london td at all this year &  as for the foot path leading up to the clock tower it is sinking & has great big puddles most of the time. talk about welcoming people to newbury. why promote the broadway when the rest of it is crap.

Quoted from red berret

lights in market place looks fine, the broad way is utter rubbish. looked at it last night only two strings of lights down here and one of them has not worked since they were put up. half the street lights are out, there are no lamp post decorations on the london td at all this year &  as for the foot path leading up to the clock tower it is sinking & has great big puddles most of the time. talk about welcoming people to newbury. why promote the broadway when the rest of it is crap.

When I went by the clock tower last night, all the skirt strings were on and I thought from the water bridge, it all looked pretty (if that's a word that men use). Perhaps next year, funding available some Christmas colours could be introduced, reds and greens. As far as the London Rd is concerned, there isn't a lot of retail business in that area so funding lights for that area might detract from the town lights.
What happens to the lights each year, is there a town lights library where you can return your lights and get replacements returned from another town and have we planted any trees to compensate for the energy used (ref Greenham Common)