Brian Roberts, Chairman of the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association, paid tribute recently to everyone involved in what he described as one of the most demanding Christmas Lights seasons that the volunteers of the association had ever had to face. Weekend after weekend of rain during the erection period had resulted in wet electrical fittings (and some very wet volunteers). Snow and ice had then delayed the dismantling of the displays with the final pieces not being placed into safe storage until 24th January.

Despite the problems, the lights had been a great success. The addition of new low energy displays in Castle Street and at some other locations pointed the way forward. The association now had the expertise to utilize low energy light sources in creating displays and could now go ahead with extending their use but care had to be taken not to over-extend or over-commit the association’s resources in terms of finance, manpower and goodwill.

The switch-on evening and fun fair had been a most successful event and raised an appreciable amount for the chosen charity which this year was Thornbury In Bloom. Brian concluded his remarks by thanking everyone who had contributed to this year’s spectacular display especially those on the ground in all weathers and those who made donations ranging from a few pennies in our collection boxes through larger contributions from private and commercial sources to local government grants.

As mentioned by the Chairman in his remarks reported above, the switch-on evening was a great success. Blessed with dry weather and with songstress Nerina Pallot proving to be an absolutely charming celebrity the event was very well attended. As a result of the bucket collection by its members and a very sizeable donation from Albert Rogers Funfair, a total of £732.40 was raised for the chosen charity Thornbury in Bloom.

With the extension of low energy lighting displays into Castle Street came a new venture, a community Christmas market organized with the most considerable assistance of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce. A good number of organizations and traders took up the offer of stalls and large numbers of patrons found their way to The Plain resulting in some brisk trading – certainly the mulled wine sold out! This was a first-time part of the switch-on event and inevitably there were some minor problems including discovering that very little of the area was actually flat and that despite the street lights and the new Christmas lights, it was still quite dark. Lessons have been learned and it is hoped to make the market even better next time.

Thornbury’s Christmas lights can only appear each year with assistance in both cash and in kind from many individuals and businesses. Sincere and grateful thanks are recorded to the following for their help in 2009: Barden Network Engineering Ltd, Burton Sweet & Co, Castle Estate Agents, A W Causton, S P Chadwick, Bob Close (hoist driver), Graham Fitzroy, Mrs V Gregory, Mrs C Jenkins, The Mayor of Thornbury, Milburys Estate Agents, Park Insurance Services, Mrs W E Quick, RMB Craftscapes Ltd, Albert Rogers Funfair, Mrs Edna Rowe (Mother Christmas), Sims Cook & Teague, John Smith (Town Crier), South Gloucestershire Council, Thornbury Chamber of Commerce, Thornbury Composters, Thornbury FM, Thornbury Litter Busters, Thornbury Magazine, Thornbury Town Council, Tony & Sue’s Flowers Ltd, Wheatsheaf Inn, Tony Wilcock (Master of Ceremonies), Mike Wiltshire (Father Christmas) and www.MyThornbury.co.uk.

Thornbury Christmas Lights Association

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.

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: