A number of detailed planning meetings were held prior to the Lights Switch on which were headed by the Chief Executive, to ensure that the event proceeded smoothly and on time. I was therefore very confident that everyone was aware of what was happening at specific times and that all health and safety issues had been addressed. The only aspect which could not be assured was the weather.
On the afternoon of 30 November, Edwina and I, having donned my robes, chain and hat, went from the Town Hall to meet up with the Rev David Stone and the choir in the church. The plan was to move from the Church at 16.30p.m. to link up with the Father Christmas and the procession of children from Speenhamland Primary school who were setting off from the Methodist Church in Northbrook Street. We would meet them at the junction of Bartholomew Street and Mansion House Street, and move into the Market Place, with the stewards nearby to keep a path clear. By this time, the Market Place was getting full of parents with their children. This year the stage, run by Kick FM had been sited closer to the Corn Exchange and there was a much more room in which to move about, particularly around the back.
There we met up with Graeme Murty, the player captain of Reading Football Club and Sian Cook who is the inspiration behind a new charity Swings and Smiles, a project to provide special recreational facilities for handicapped children. Graeme is the Patron of this charity. Both were there to help to switch on the lights, with Sian’s daughter, Amy. Kick FM’s staff worked wonders with interviews and music to keep the crowd entertained and St Nicolas church choir led carol singing until the magic hour of 5 p.m. when the countdown started and Sian, Graeme and I pressed the plunger to set off the lights, to tumultuous applause. This year saw a new lighting display which the Town Council had funded and most people I spoke to considered they were very good. After the switch-on, the rain became quite heavy but some of the more hardy people stayed there and Edwina and I distributed sweets to the children (and to some of the adults) before we returned to the Town Hall where mince pies and mulled wine were served. I felt very sorry for the stewards who could not leave their posts, and particularly those deployed in Victoria Park for the firework display.
Despite the rain, the switching on of the lights went well, and my thanks to all the organisers and volunteers who ensured the smooth and safe running of the event.
On the afternoon of 30 November, Edwina and I, having donned my robes, chain and hat, went from the Town Hall to meet up with the Rev David Stone and the choir in the church. The plan was to move from the Church at 16.30p.m. to link up with the Father Christmas and the procession of children from Speenhamland Primary school who were setting off from the Methodist Church in Northbrook Street. We would meet them at the junction of Bartholomew Street and Mansion House Street, and move into the Market Place, with the stewards nearby to keep a path clear. By this time, the Market Place was getting full of parents with their children. This year the stage, run by Kick FM had been sited closer to the Corn Exchange and there was a much more room in which to move about, particularly around the back.
There we met up with Graeme Murty, the player captain of Reading Football Club and Sian Cook who is the inspiration behind a new charity Swings and Smiles, a project to provide special recreational facilities for handicapped children. Graeme is the Patron of this charity. Both were there to help to switch on the lights, with Sian’s daughter, Amy. Kick FM’s staff worked wonders with interviews and music to keep the crowd entertained and St Nicolas church choir led carol singing until the magic hour of 5 p.m. when the countdown started and Sian, Graeme and I pressed the plunger to set off the lights, to tumultuous applause. This year saw a new lighting display which the Town Council had funded and most people I spoke to considered they were very good. After the switch-on, the rain became quite heavy but some of the more hardy people stayed there and Edwina and I distributed sweets to the children (and to some of the adults) before we returned to the Town Hall where mince pies and mulled wine were served. I felt very sorry for the stewards who could not leave their posts, and particularly those deployed in Victoria Park for the firework display.
Despite the rain, the switching on of the lights went well, and my thanks to all the organisers and volunteers who ensured the smooth and safe running of the event.
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