At 6:30 sharp, suddenly the crowded High Street emerged from it’s state of relative darkness and lighting was restored, but by the Town Council’s Christmas lights display rather than Wiltshire Council fixing the streetlights. As ever for the Christmas Lights Switch-On the High Street was packed. Stalls stretched from the Town Hall right down to St Peter’s and the large crowd there to enjoy the celebrations probably gave them some good business.
Mayor Kym-Marie Cleasby led the crowd in the countdown and then plunged the lever – and there was light. The High Street and Town Hall were thrillingly illuminated in sparkling lights accompanied by canons firing streamers. Christmas has arrived in Marlborough.
Anticipation had been building throughout the day with the festive market lining the centre of the High Street from 10 am. Several shops stayed open late and offered mince pies and refreshments. The twinkling lights and illuminations in St Peter’s churchyard led eager children and their parents to Santa, in his grotto. Pianist, Kim Emery, entertained the queue with Christmas music. Many children also took advantage of the crafts and colouring on offer. Santa was also busy escorting the Mayor on his sleigh to the Town Hall.
Meanwhile, the crowds were entertained from the stage on the Town Hall steps by Great Bedwyn and Oare Primary Schools, Marlborough Musical Theatre, Ogbourne Primary Choir and Recorders and Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama. Street entertainers – an angel and her Christmas friend as well as two cheeky robins delighted onlookers and happily posed for photos.
After the ‘Switch-On’, the first scene from Christmas – the real story (produced by Cllr Kym-Marie Cleasby and husband Rod) was performed. This was followed by a scene outside the Castle and Ball at 7pm which led to a nativity and carols at St. Peter’s at 8pm.
Following Christmas – the real story, Jessica Self, a musical theatre singer only 15 years old, and acoustic pop duo, Rackham performed on the Town Hall stage.
Many retailers stayed open, Blue Cross ran a tombola outside their shop and Nationwide, now Marlborough’s only bank (technically a Building Society, but Swindon-based and the largest in the world) were handing out mince pices and foam glow sticks to all. Branch Manager, Bryan Rumbold told Marlborough.news: “It was lovely to welcome our customers and local people into our branch to celebrate the Christmas lights switch on, especially as we’re the last banking provider in town. It was a lovely festive evening for us, and we’re already looking forward to the New Year!”
The Town Council would like to thank the Rotary Club, the Lions and St Peter’s for their support in planning and running the evening.
No Summer School at Marlborough College next year – ‘taking a short break’
