Christmas Lights Switch On - 17/11/2018.

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
This Saturday, the 17th.

http://www.stafford-towncentre.co.uk/events/824/Stafford+Big+Christmas+Switch-on+Show.htm

Thousands of people are expected to yet again gather around the Christmas tree in the centre of Stafford on Saturday 17 November at 5pm, when the town’s much loved Christmas lights will be officially switched on.

As a fitting tribute, the honours of pushing the button at Stafford’s Big Christmas Switch on Show will go to representatives from the Royal Air Force’s Tactical Supply Wing based at MoD Stafford. The RAF are celebrating their 100th birthday this year.

Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure at the Borough Council, said: “The lights being switched on in Stafford is seen as the traditional countdown to Christmas by residents, shoppers, businesses and visitors to the town. I’m sure we will once again see the large crowds that flock to the Market Square for this wonderful event including great music and a spectacular fireworks display.

“It is always a great day for children and families with lots going on throughout the afternoon. And I am very pleased that this year the switching on of the lights will honour those from our Tactical Supply Wing of the Royal Air Force.”

To get the party started, the magical atmosphere will start to spread throughout the town centre from 3pm with an old-school Christmas Disco followed by a 70s themed performance from Dancing Queen ‘The Concert’ – an action-packed show featuring the greatest hits from Abba, Grease and Boogie Nights, to help get everyone in the mood and rocking around the Christmas tree!

Once again the magical light spectacular will be followed by a sensational firework display; providing just the right amount of Christmas sparkle in the sky above the square to kick off the festive season.

In Princes Street the Makers Market will be returning for the second year and there will also be a Christmas themed Craft Fair at the Ancient High House Museum in Greengate Street, with free entry to this and the museum all day.

Freedom Leisure Area Manager, Geoff Beadle, says: “The RAF originally had units in Stafford back in the 1930s and 2018 marks its 100th birthday, so Stafford Borough Council agreed that dedicating this special community event would be a wonderfully fitting way to celebrate and honour the world’s oldest independent Air Force.

“December also sees the first anniversary since Freedom Leisure commenced operations of four leisure centres, four cultural and heritage sites and numerous community events on behalf of Stafford Borough Council and we are delighted that this very special Christmas lights switch on will complete our first year so nicely.”

Beadle adds: “These Christmas lights are special and mean a lot to Stafford borough residents which is why it is important to us to continue the legacy of previous switch on events. Previous honours have gone to: athletes from Special Olympics Stafford, local Rio canoeing gold medallist Joe Clarke, the late Don Gray, WW2 survivor and six-time Olympian Alison Williamson.

“So, whether it’s an annual event for you and the family or it’s your first time, please wrap up warm and join us to experience Stafford’s Big Christmas Switch on Show!”


As reminded by @Keemanan 123 go elsewhere just now...
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
The sign, warning of the road closure because if this event, that was propped up near Caffe Nero this afternoon has the 16th as the date of the event!
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
The sign, warning of the road closure because if this event, that was propped up near Caffe Nero this afternoon has the 16th as the date of the event!
I can't find any info on the Borough Council site, just the Stone Lights switch on....


Maybe there's a preemptive closure for 'stuff' to arrive?
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I can't find any info on the Borough Council site, just the Stone Lights switch on....


Maybe there's a preemptive closure for 'stuff' to arrive?
It said the 16th only. Besides there'd have to be access late Friday/ early Saturday morning for shop deliveries and such like.

Someone needs to get busy with a marker pen.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
It said the 16th only. Besides there'd have to be access late Friday/ early Saturday morning for shop deliveries and such like.

Someone needs to get busy with a marker pen.
Ah, well, I was trying to be generous - as I've said elsewhere, it might be better if they did nothing...
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
From Active Communities Stafford

For everyone's safety and enjoyment at Stafford's Big Christmas Switch On Show on Saturday, access to the event viewing area in Market Square will close at 4.45pm. You will still be able to exit the area after this time.

If you're unable to get into Market Square before 4.45pm, you can view the fireworks from St Mary's Gardens.

We plan to allow access through Market Square around 5.15pm. There are alternative pedestrian routes available around the town centre avoiding Market Square throughout this time.

Come on down early to avoid disappointment!
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
We were running late so went to the 'overflow' behind St. Mary's (great view of the fireworks, no annoying dj / music -win win) - which was busy enough but here's a stunning picture from the top of the Guildhall. We walked back through the crowds on the way back home - really busy, which was nice to see.

46401506_1542662519099324_3497343275872813056_o.jpg
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Freedom Leisure Area Manager, Geoff Beadle, says: “The RAF originally had units in Stafford back in the 1930s and 2018 marks its 100th birthday, so Stafford Borough Council agreed that dedicating this special community event would be a wonderfully fitting way to celebrate and honour the world’s oldest independent Air Force.

“December also sees the first anniversary since Freedom Leisure commenced operations of four leisure centres, four cultural and heritage sites and numerous community events on behalf of Stafford Borough Council and we are delighted that this very special Christmas lights switch on will complete our first year so nicely.”

Beadle adds: “These Christmas lights are special and mean a lot to Stafford borough residents which is why it is important to us to continue the legacy of previous switch on events. Previous honours have gone to: athletes from Special Olympics Stafford, local Rio canoeing gold medallist Joe Clarke, the late Don Gray, WW2 survivor and six-time Olympian Alison Williamson.

“So, whether it’s an annual event for you and the family or it’s your first time, please wrap up warm and join us to experience Stafford’s Big Christmas Switch on Show!”
A rather interesting, and hitherto overlooked, element of this reportage is that Mr. Beadle had been sacked about a month before the quotes attributed to him were, well, attributed to him.

What's potentially interesting about that is that he was already 'not in place' to give the kind of quotes attributable to him well before the 'news cycle' of a weekly paper.

So were they proffering 'puff' legitimately guffed by Beadle over a month ago, or with Beadle not now 'being about' did they get some guff from someone else in the organisation and pin Beadle's name on it?

Is that even 'potentially' interesting? It's certainly not 'definitely' interesting, for sure.

It points toward a certain amount of f**kup-ery, though, does it not?

Is something rotten in the State of Leisure & Culture...?
 
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