Dreaming of a Bright Christmas? - A message from the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association Chairman

Yes, I know it’s only Summer but what makes Thornbury special and particularly bright at Christmas time has to be thought about all the year round. I speak of course of the town’s seasonal illuminations – Thornbury’s Christmas Lights.

Contrary to some beliefs, the lights in the High Street and surrounding areas do not magically appear overnight with the assistance of Rudolph the Reindeer or the Christmas Fairy, they are not created in a workshop by Santa’s Elves, they are not even provided by those Angels at ‘The Council’.

The lights are purchased, erected, serviced, maintained, taken down, stored, lovingly cared for and renewed entirely by the volunteers of the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association.

To provide the display every year obviously costs money – to quote just one example, think of the cost of a single coloured light bulb and then do some multiplication! Grants are usually received each year from South Gloucestershire Council and Thornbury Town Council but these are subject to annual application and success can never be certain.

Local businesses and organisations help enormously and the Association is most grateful to recent donors who have included Bellariva Ltd Italian Restaurant, Flexifill Ltd, Habia Cable, Kirby Simcox Solicitors, Tony & Sue’s Flowers, Thornbury Magazine, Thornbury Pensioners Drop-In Centre and Thornbury Round Table.

Individuals have made donations and the collection boxes to be found in many shops, offices and pubs throughout the town have yielded well so please keep dropping in your loose change.

However, costs continue to rise and sources of funding are becoming increasingly squeezed. The Association is therefore seeking your help and support by becoming a member. The great attraction of joining is that your subscription will greatly help us to continue and improve displays in years to come but that you DON’T ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

Obviously, if you are able to help physically in any way – up ladders or on the ground – with or without electrical expertise – you will be welcomed with open arms.

Obviously, we will keep you informed of meetings and fund raising or social events and if you would like to attend we would love to see you.

Equally obviously, if you just join to help financially, to show support or even to say thank you – that’s great too. Family Membership to include all those in the household is £5 annually. Life Family Membership is a single payment of £40.

To join the Association please send a cheque together with your name, address, telephone number (and e-mail address) to the Membership Secretary. To make a one-off donation please send a cheque direct to the Treasurer. To help out with any of the many tasks needed to be done or to obtain more information please contact any member of the Committee listed below.

Thornbury Christmas Lights Association

Membership Secretary: Terry Ray, Hollybush Cottage, Clay Lane, Thornbury, BS35 3UA Tel. 412272
Treasurer: Jim Footman, 42 Knapp Road, Thornbury, BS35 2HF Tel. 884063
Chair: Brian Roberts Tel. 415445
Vice-Chair: Rex Davis Tel. 415286
Secretary: Gill Dunkley, The Old Malthouse, Gloucester Road, Thornbury, BS35 1LH Tel. 281801 or email:
Publicity: George Jackson Tel. 884099