[Leon Kelly]

Hi All,

The lights are next Thursday Night, I was drafted in by the council to do something different this year, I have done this on a voluntary basis for the town and with a limited budget, and when i mean limited its limited, I was asked for my input i gave it at a meeting and talked myself into the job, I chose Kelly Llorenna from N Trance for a number of reasons,
1. Set You Free The Song is About to Go Number 1 Again because its used on the Matalan Christmas Advert
2. She has had over 10 top ten hits and people old and new know the tracks
3. I know her so she did this as a favour to me

Ive seen the remark of someone saying a 3rd rate singer from an old dance band, But who did we have last year Nick Cochrane from Corrie who hasnt been in the soap for 15 years, so i think that were moving forward of someone whos had a chart hits for the past 10 years including this year.

In all honestly this has been one of the hardest things i have ever been involved with, Honestly the original draft of names i submitted was amazing but ill be honests the money is not their, and Stages and Speaker Systems do not come cheap and also neither do Road Closures trust me £1500.00 to close 1 road and we had to close 2, so honestly Yes i do know the figures and it aint massive the budgets set and thats all we could spend on the event.

I have used a local up and coming live band called Boomin who are creating some interest on a national front, and ive also used Sandersons Dance Studio Teens group to perform to give them a huge stage to perform on.

I am aware that this event is not everyones cup of tea, But all i will say is When Blackburns councillors are moaning about their Christmas Lights not being as good as Accringtons because they have booked Pepa The Pig, and Darwens Lights have 1996 Eurovision star Gina G, Then were not boasting that were the best but i think weve done a great job and next week we will see.

I know people like traditional things like choirs and stuff but i think that as youve seen with Blackburn far too much onus is now put on each town trying to outdo their rival towns that traditional Choirs are now deemed old hat, and X Factor stars or Pop Stars are deemed as the way forward.

Firework wise i dont control thats handled by a different department, However its took 8 weeks of hardwork to do the event, and yes people will be sceptical and be like well i dont like for this and that reasons, We cant ban the chavs from town and before people get all carried away with themselves its not going to turn into some big bounce night, Weve put something there for everyone, Obviously the fun fair attracts people down to the town, however i came up with the idea of a huge main stage and i then had to fill it with no budget so i ask anyone that wants to do the event down or says i can do better, then please feel free to open your celeb blackbook and get your pals down.

This year we made the person that switches on the lights someone that isnt a huge celeb, its someone that has been through a lot of trauma and actually gives them something and their families to look forward to.

Anyhow with that said, I am sure there will be some negativity to what i have said, but at least i gave it a go and tried to give something different to the town and also worked hard on the event.