Forget about the new 20mph on the North side of the High Street this Friday (22 November), it’s Zero mph as the street will be closed between 1pm and 9pm for Marlborough’s annual Lights Switch-On extravaganza.
BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Afternoon Show presenter, James Thomas will be pushing down the plunger with a bit of help from Mayor Mervyn Hall, but supported by local bands Wilding and Barrelhouse who will be playing on the stage – this year sited outside ‘Superdrug’ near to the Town Hall.
It will be a busy afternoon. The bustling Christmas Market will be taking up the middle of the High Street with stalls offering all sorts of Christmas goodies, including the key seasonal offerings like mulled wine and mince pies. Many High Street shops will be staying open late, and with a bit of help from Marlborough Rotary and his army of Elves Santa will be back in residence in his Town Hall Grotto between 3 and 8pm giving children the chance to tell him what they want for Christmas, while their parents can relax for a moment with – yes, a bit more mulled wine! Santa visits can be booked online here. All proceeds will go to support the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and other charities supported by Rotary.
Entertainment on the High Street stage will run between 5 and 8pm, opening with the St John’s School Band followed by the Marlborough Academy of Dance, Marlborough Community Choir, The Bluebelles, a local acapella choir and a couple of local bands before headliners Wilding and Barrelhouse take over.
Santa may be pretty busy in the Town Hall but he will be taking time out to travel up and down the High Street in his sleigh with Mayor Mervyn Hall, with plenty of help from the Lions Club of Marlborough.
Lots else happening – kids funfair rides in the High Street and prepare to be accosted by a pair of oversize (human proportion) furry squirrels – ‘The Christmas Nutkins’ who will be charming the crowd with their ‘huggable softness’….
