After a morning of controlled military splendour, Marlborough went into a great buzz of early festive celebration on Thursday as hundreds packed the High Street for the annual switch-on of Marlborough’s Christmas lights.
And to throng what was agreed to be the best Communities Market ever, take part in the Christmas choir competition, listen on the town hall steps to carols by the Marlborough Community Choir and hear the brass instrument quartet from Marlborough’s Concert Orchestra.
There was the enticing opportunity as well to meet Father Christmas and to visit his grotto in the Town Hall, courtesy of We Love Marlborough, which also laid on arts and crafts activities and games, and organised the musical entertainment on the Town Hall steps.
It was a night of great togetherness, if somewhat chaotic at times as police eased traffic into single lanes, but a remarkable example of a town glued together in delight and expectation of the coming Yuletide events.
Children, from babes in arms and push chairs to early teens, had a chance to see – and purchase – Christmas presents in advance from the market stalls, as well as enjoy a range of food and drink from hot chestnuts to exotic samosas.
But it was in St Mary’s Church where 150 of them from four primary schools – Kennet, Preshute, Ogbourne and St Peter’s — did battle in the 10th annual Christmas Choir Competition, each school choir singing two carols to entertain their parents and friends packed in the stalls.
But the vital winner, chosen by the Mayor and Mayoress together with veteran Town Crier Alfie Johnson, was not for a choir but for one child to be given the honour of pushing the plunger on the town hall steps to set the Christmas lights ablaze.
And that went to seven-year-old Emily Barnett from St Peter’s, the Mayor telling the children: “You are all winners but the judges have to pick just one pupil to switch on the Christmas lights tonight.
“What you do represents the extraordinary diversity that happens in the town. You are the start of Christmas.”
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A woman who has devoted almost 40 years of her life to supporting the Second Marlborough Scouts Troop and voluntary organisations was named last night (Thursday) as Marlborough’s Citizen of the Year. She is 62-year-old Viv Lucas, who lives in Ducks Meadow, who hadn’t even heard she had been nominated for the award until a letter arrived last week from the Town Council. “It was a big surprise when I opened it,” she told Marlborough News Online. “I do think it is a good idea to recognise voluntary helpers in this way. There are so many of them in Marlborough – and this award is really for all of them.” Exactly how many nominations were made this year is being kept secret, Mrs Lucas’s success with Janet Louth as runner-up being announced from the steps of the Town Hall by the Mayor, Councillor Guy Loosmore. “It is always difficult to choose one name,” he told a crowd of hundreds. “But the winner this year is known to quite a few people. She is Viv Lucas, who has been working with the Scouts in Marlborough for 37 years. “I can say that all my four sons went to Marlborough Scouts. Viv is an absolutely wonderful person and I would like you to give her a big cheer and a big chap when she comes forward.” And when Mrs Lucas did she received a kiss of congratulations from the Mayor. Though she was never a Girl Guide herself, Mrs Lucas told Marlborough News Online: “I joined the Scouts when my second son Owen, who is now 33, did. “I foolishly said, ‘If ever I can help…’ And I was there the next week and the next week and I’ve been there ever since.” Mrs Lucas, who works full-time for the Natural Environment Research Council, based in Swindon, has nevertheless also found time to support Marlborough’s former Carnival Committee and other voluntary organisations. |
Wonderful Viv Lucas is Marlborough’s Citizen of the Year 2013
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Centre piece in Marlborough’s festive lights in the middle of the High Street is a 4.6 metre Christmas tree provided by Marlborough Rotary Club which stands out at night with its dazzle and blue and white decorations. The tree this year – they normally cost £250 – was donated by by T H White and Jadecliff, amd was erected by a team of Rotarians led by Jack Torrens, with Simon Coxwell of T H White using a JCB to position the tree. Then Wheelers Electrical kindly came to fit the lights and connect up to the power. “Marlborough Rotary is very grateful to both T H White and Wheelers for their help,” said spokesman Gerry Hopper. “The Christmas tree is a focal point for the our collections at this time of year and over the past seven years has raised s total of £10,796 shared alternatively between the Naomi House and Helen and Douglas House charities. “Collections this year will be on December 7 and 24 are for Helen and Douglas House, who provide a hospice and palliative care to children and young adults in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.” |
Marlborough Rotary Club’s dazzling tree adds to the festivities
Home from Afghanistan: Marlborough welcomes soldiers of its adopted battalion
