Christmas is now but a distant memory and next Christmas seems light years away but the members of Thornbury Christmas Lights Association are already planning the town’s 2009-10 display.

At their February meeting members first looked back and reviewed what had been a very successful year. Displays had again been improved and extended and a well attended switch-on evening had raised a considerable amount for the year;s chosen charity: the Great Western Air Ambulance.

Thanks were recorded to all the councils, organisations, businesses and individuals who by their generous grants, sponsorship, donations in cash and kind and help and assistance in so many ways had made the display and the switch-on event possible (see the Roll and Role of Honour lists below).

Special mention was made of those volunteers who in whatever weather give up several Sundays to erect, maintain and dismantle the displays. It was noted that none were getting any younger and there was a need to recruit more volunteers (see ‘Situations Vacant’ attached).

The fact that there were fewer charity stalls than normal at the switch-on had been due in part to complicated and strenuous insurance and licensing conditions but it was hoped that planned talks with South Gloucestershire Council would lead to a simplified system next time.

Funds permitting, it is planned to continue the refurbishment of existing displays, increase the use of low energy LED light sources and extend the displays into the top end of Castle Street. The Association will also continue to seek to persuade St Mary Centre to revert to a single switch-on for the whole town in 2009.

Situations Vacant

Job Title: Christmas Lighting Assembly, erection and dismantling technician (one and off-ground) (part time)
Hours: Some sundays in October, November and January
Required Skills: Basic DIY - drilling, screwing, fixing, banding etc., confidence on ladders, common sense
Other Qualifications: Ability to work as member of a team in all weathers and without supervision, sense of humour, slight madness
Pay: Occasional steaming mug of coffee, maybe even a bite to eat
Fringe Benefits: Sense of achievement when it all actually works
Please contact any of the following Brian Roberts 01454 260330, Rex Davis 01454 415286, Adrian Savery 01454 412280 or Gill Dunkley 01454 281801
Thornbury Christmas Lights Association is an equal opportunities employer - everyone does something for nothing

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

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.

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. 01454 884099 or e-mail:

Roll of Honour

Thornbury Christmas Lights Association is most grateful to the following, who have helped with grants and donations in cash or in kind in the past year:

Barden Network Engineering Ltd.
Bellariva Ltd.
Burton Sweet and Co.
Castle Estate Agents
Energy Solutions (Oldbury Power Station)
Essilor Ltd.
Flexifill Ltd.
Gems of Thornbury
Mrs V Gregory
Habia Cables Ltd.
Kirby Simcox Solicitors
Mr R Knott
Lions Club of Thornbury
Mrs W E Quick
RMB Craftscapes Ltd.
Rogers Funfair
South Gloucestershire Council
Thornbury Chamber of Commerce
Thornbury Magazine
Thornbury Pensioners Drop-In Centre
Thornbury Round Table
Thornbury Town Council
Tony and Sue's Flowers Ltd.
Wheatsheaf Inn, Thornbury

Role of Honour

Thornbury Christmas Lights Association is most grateful to the following, without whose help the annual display just wouldn't be possible:

All those who kindly allow displays to be fixed to their premises and pay for the electricity
All those who permit our collecting boxes to be placed in their establishments and all those who help to fill them
MyThornbury, Thornbury Magazine, Thornbury Gazette, Thornbury FM, Bristol Evening Post, BBC Bristol and all those who help with our publicity
All those who attend our switch-on, add to the atmosphere and contribute to our collection and those of other charities
All those who work in all weathers, on and off the ground, to erect, maintain and dismantle the displays
All those who give their support and encouragement by becoming members of the Association
All those who work quietly behind the scenes and help in so many different ways
You know who you are - thank you all