Xmas lights.........
 

When do the Xmas lights in Accy Town Centre go on?.:) :cool:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

They're looking for someone to switch 'em on, it said in the Observer.

You should apply.

;):D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

It's Thursday, November 17th.

Will your little star be a festive cracker and switch on Accrington's Christmas lights? | Accrington Observer - menmedia.co.uk

http://www.emotionsmsn.com/wp-conten...for-msn-04.gif

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Haven't been in Accy for Xmas since 1992 - don't really remember there being special Xmas lights. Where exactly are they -just in the center or all through the town?

We have them in Cremona - like giant snow-flakes, but no-one official actually switches them on...

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Broadway, and in front of the Town and Market Hall, on Blackburn Road mainly.

Take your own seat.

:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

You just couldn't resist ....

Unfortunately mine is well-padded and goes wherever I do...;):D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

What?

:idunno:

:rolleyes:

I've never seen a well-padded, portable Town Hall.

I'll have to pay a visit to Cremona.

:eek:

:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Ever the diplomat I see!:rolleyes:;)

Actually our town hall is mediaeval and is lit by torch-light at Xmas - it and the whole of the Cathedral square have been submitted as a UNESCO heritage site...it's particularly beautiful during the Xmas period...

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I do know a little about the area.

I have a very nice guide book, filled with some rather beautiful photographs.

;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

For those who are less fortunate than your good self-a few pics of Cremona's main square, afraid i couldn't find any with Xmas lights!

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Give, give, give.

That's me all over.

Don't think you're getting another present now.

;):D

Cremona - Christmas Lights - 2008 - YouTube

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Ok, perhaps just a little stocking filler.

But there'll be no nuts in it now.

;)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...bMOXgcqgoK3VKg

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Thanks G, lovely present! You are too clever by half...:)

The bar under the arches does the best ever iced coffee.

The giant violin was made of nougat -they claim nougat was invented here in the 1400's.

Looking at this which is my local town center I am at a loss to explain why I'm often homesick for Accy...:rolleyes:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Instead of switching on the lights, why doesn't Accy stay dark this year? The money saved on the electricity bill could be sent to Mr Cameron to give to the IMF so they can give it to the Greeks to bail out their economy. That should also keep Mr Jones happy because he wants to bail out the Greeks as well. And if we're really clever, we don't need to stick up the crib and the money saved on that can go to bailing out the Italians.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Wot no grafiti.
Retlaw.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Mary and Joseph are just biding their time.

Until Israel's finally admitted to the European Union.

So they can claim a full range of benefits from the U.K. taxpayer, for themselves, and the li'l Baby Jesus.

http://images.funadvice.com/photo/im...ager_scene.gif

Bless 'em.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Well possibly because you grew up there - it would be interesting to know how you felt if you did come back to live. I've never lived in a non-English speaking country but I imagine every so often it would be nice to hear one's native tongue.

We went to Italy two years ago in our motor home, heading for Ravenna to see the mosaics then down to Ancona and back across to the west to Siena, Florence and Pisa. We did not visit Cremona but I have seen it on TV. Actually by the time we had finished with Umbria and Tuscany we were sick of hill towns, perhaps next time we will makefor a few places on the flat like Cremona in the Po valley!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

[quote=susie123;945286]Well possibly because you grew up there - it would be interesting to know how you felt if you did come back to live. I've never lived in a non-English speaking country but I imagine every so often it would be nice to hear one's native tongue.

We went to Italy two years ago in our motor home, heading for Ravenna to see the mosaics then down to Ancona and back across to the west to Siena, Florence and Pisa. We did not visit Cremona but I have seen it on TV. Actually by the time we had finished with Umbria and Tuscany we were sick of hill towns, perhaps next time we will makefor a few places on the flat like Cremona in the Po valley![/quote
if you do come this way you would be welcome to stay -Cremona is a bit off the beaten track but well worth the effort of a visit...see G's video and photo...much better than mine.:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

This is the square and "The Torazzo" just over 112metres in height and 502 steps to get up it -Europe's highest mediaeval tower, as seen from Via Solferino,- a lovely old shopping street where there is a viewpoint down 2 metres to the old Roman road...

Great cake shop and the oldest sweet shop in Cremona are on Via Solferino....

Wish you could all come to see it...

The cathedral is the best part -just over 900 yrs old -fab carvings in marble inside -not too religious and showing the local people and their occupations at the time....priceless. If you want to find me and I'm not at home -I'm usually looking at them, putting my futile problems to right, they are nothing compared to this time scale...;):)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Thanks RindyRoo :D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

What a kind thought - we won't be coming that way for a while as we have other travel plans but we certainly intend to see a lot more ofEurope as soon as my other half retires in two years. All we need is somewhere to park up and a tap to fill up our water container. Pretty self sufficient otherwise.

I looked at the video, thought the music rather spoilt it though.

Thanks againhttp://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/i...cons/icon7.gif

Sue

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Agree Cremona looks great, the singer was crap.:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Does 'sound' quiet nice.

Though perhaps a bit lacking on the heritage/cultural side of things.

I can understand why you enjoy coming back now.

;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

What's really lacking are the Lanky folk and their sense of humour...;)

The hills are another thing missing and the green-ness which depends on the incessant rain...:rolleyes:

And yes, I DO enjoy coming back...:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

A bit like Accrington really mobertol, you have a medieval town hall, we now have a medieval council:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Back on thread. Is the whole thing not a complete waste of money. It's now an annual event for out of town burger vans to make a killing and 1,000's of little chavs to run riot. Be interesting to know if the shops actually welcome it.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

The only thing I like about the switch on is the fireworks really.

They do a good job every year but I agree with you Dave money could be better spent.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

For what purpose though, and at what cost ?

As I say I'd be interested to know if the shopkeepers say it increases trade. To my knowledge the market hall doesn't open. We don't open on Peel St, tried it but nobody goes round there all the public stay on Broadway or the front of the Town Hall.

How much do those fireworks cost, anybody know ?

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Is that another community art project?

A 'flash mob chav riot'?

Who's done the choreography for this one?

:rolleyes::D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

[quote=lancsdave;945571]For what purpose though, and at what cost ?
[quote]


I just liked watching them thats all I were saying.

I dont know the cost of them and like I posted earlier I agree with you money could be better spent.
If other problems got solved with the money spent on the fireworks I wouldnt care less about watching them.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Um who's in charge of the town centre:rolleyes:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I'm sure a councillor once posted how much the fireworks cost for the Royal Wedding celebration.

I did start to wade through old posts, but gave up, shocked at all the vile and vicious slurs there were.

Perhaps someone else, with a stronger stomach than me, might find the information re: costs.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I found a payment in the Hyndburn Costs for last October to a company called TC Promotions for £6,800 with a description of Christmas Lights switch on. Don't know if this includes the fireworks

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Blimey that is a lot.

You could buy a couple of permenant benches for that, and have Martin Platt sat on one, to scare off any drunken merry makers.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Why didn't they switch on the lights last night and that way they can save on two lots of fireworks? They could even have had a bonfire with those 'owd benches that used to be outside t'market. Double bubble for half the price.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Ya and he'd have brought a couple of rolls of cheese with him too:)

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The fireworks for the Royal Wedding were £2,500

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Doesn't sound that much to be honest considering the event...

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

What event:confused: Christmas or the Royal Wedding.;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

whichever it still went up in smoke;)

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Truckles....!

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Your just a mind of information steve:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

If anybody wants to know the details of the event the information is downloadable here
Christmas Lights Switch On - 2011

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Pass;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I'm sure it'll be a big draw, for your substance taking bounce fans, and those that pacify the li'l ones with a sausage roll, but it doesn't sound very Christmassy to me.

Christmas is a Christian festival. The clue's in the name.

What's wrong with listening to the best school choirs in the borough, belt out some traditional carols, or the Sally Army strike up the brass band?

Are things that don't cost anything disregarded as not being good?

What the Silent Night has some third rate dance act got to do with Christmas?

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Generally interested.

To the people who do go.

Would you stay away if there wasn't a pop music act, or a tribute band, as we've had in the past?

Would you still attend if it was just the Christmas lights being switched on, school choirs singing carols, a brass band playing, and the firework display?

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

For me any kind of pop act is guaranteed to keep me away from any event. Would much prefer carols and brass bands but I think 17 Nov is a bit too early for that. By Christmas we'll probably have had more than enough of it. That's the trouble, these days Christmas starts far too early and goes on far too long.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Agree, but that's everywhere, not just here in Hyndburn.

Christmas is commercialised, and I guess that this is what this is all about. Getting folk to part with their cash.

Greggs will be busy. All those li'l babbies, needing a sausage snack to suck on.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Perhaps because this year the entertainment was organised by a bar, they're hoping for an older crowd, who'll carry on boozing afterwards.

Rather than wide-eyed innocent children, who won't have the foggiest idea who some obscure dance act is.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

You're In the right town then,:D Shame really It used to be a great place for entertainment in the 60's.:theband::music8:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

They could perhaps cancel headline act Kelly Christmas, depending on the size of her fee, and get a more current act.

Frankie Cocozza's going cheap, and will probably be available at short notice.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Actually, I don't live in Accy but I agree about the 60's.

I now live in Morecambe and nearly every weekend in summer they have some kind of so-called festival which usually consists of screaming pop acts on a stage on the seafront. We can hear them quite clearly from our house half a mile away and it would ne nice to hear something different occasionally!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I meant Morecambe.:p

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Baa Humbug:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

OOOh how exciting...Groove is glad Bee has something to look forward to -stood on Broadway pointing up at the coloured bulbs...Groove is envious of Bee's enthusiasm for such a minor event.

Or if its open in time, Poundbakery :)

It will deffo be open for next years xmas lights switch on performed by a z list celebrity.



Sent from my GT-P1010 using Tapatalk

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

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.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

More power to you Leon. As you say, it must have took a lot of hard work, to get the whole thing together. Genuinely, well done.

Nothing to do with you, I just think people are little confused as to why some local councils have now decided, that what's really a religious festival, is now a showcase for pop acts.

If it is to be a mini pop festival, well done for at least getting original acts, rather than some dire looky-likey tribute 'star'.

I'm sure it will be a great success, and the bull necked, trackies in socks brigade, will come from miles around, bringing their baby mothers with 'em, to bounce along to the music, at Accrington's Christmas lights switch-on.

Personally I prefer my Christmas with holly stuck on it, accompanied by the sound of the jingling of bells.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Just to help promote Accrington's Christmas light switch-on next Thursday, here is Kelly Llorenna, with N-Trance's biggest hit, first released in1992, 'Set You Free'.

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/christma...stmas-tree.gif

Kelly Llorenna - Set You Free - YouTube

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Poundbakery is is B'burn phil :)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

From next Thursday in Accrington

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Out of interest who decides the budget, and is anything contributed to it by the owners of the Arndale ?

We have decided to open later on Thursday. We know it's unlikely we will get anybody in but as they say when it comes to elections, if you don't vote then you don't deserve to comment :)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

...they have booked Pepa The Pig,
....really?....Blackburn's Asian community will love that!!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Um Ham sandwiches all round;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Or pork lol.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I honestly thought the Pepa Pig thing was a joke at first, it's a bit like hiring a "certain" former glam-rock star to open a new Toys-r-us store. Inappropriate....!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

The Budget is determined by the council that are in control in the previous year, I also think its just a standard set rate as well, It was a shock to the system when they told me the budget as the budget has to cover everything, In previous years there has been tribute bands on, and they have been on a tiny stage that you cant even see, However Kerry who run the entertainment prior to this had her hands tied on fees, Its a thankless job because the event is a free event with a poor budget, Just to answer the X Factor question why dont we book an act from their, anyone from this years show command between 5k and 8k, its hard to book a champagne act on lemonade wages

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Well Leon, it is good of you to come on and explain the ins and outs of this 'Switch on'.
I hope it goes well for you.......and on the lighter side...you know to go and hide when they are looking for someone to do the job next year :)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

To be honest its been a challenge and one thats had its up and downs, however it was good to be involved, just a shame that the funds do not allow us to try and coax some huge stars in, unfortunatley gone are the days when celebs would do it for the exposure of releasing a track and using it as publicity

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Mentioning Frankie Cocozza's availability, was a joke.

Seeing as he was thrown off the X-Factor this week, after being involved in a sex and drug scandal.

;)

I hope all those that go have a great night. There always looks to be a good crowd, when the photographs are in the paper afterwards.

My only questtion to the forum, was to those who do go, asking if they'd still attend if there wasn't pop acts playing, but just a carol playing brass band, school choirs, the fireworks, Father Christmas, and the like.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I'd also like to know if they actually go shopping, isn't that the reason they started having Christmas Lights Switch On events or is there some other historical reason ? I never remember them happening when I was younger

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Groove remembers late night shopping on thursdays being introduced in the late 80's with a firework display and lights switch on.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Have you ever wondered who's writing Groove's script? :confused: :confused:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Why do you ask?

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

To be honest no, but ive often wondered whose writing yours at times.:rolleyes:

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I wouldn't worry about that Bee, look back through this thread which you started and you'll see everyone has enjoyed it so far -hope the light's are good this year and that the evening's entertainment is up to scratch -that's if you get to go and see of course!:)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

I honestly wonder who's writing my script:eek:
:hesoff:

Why am I reading this :confused:, 2 banned members having a :icon_argu

Oh yeah...to see who is the winner again:jimbo::thefinger

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Ya Margaret, its funny how councillors are slow at coming forward these days, its apparent they're playing with their own bat and ball in their own field of late;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

It has been said the same person who writes yours;)

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Must admit I thought banned meant banned but have been recently informed you get three goes before it means forever!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Groove scripts are written by a nice man known as Dr.Feelgood....if thats the kind of scripts to which Bee refers.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Not always, it depends on the reason for being banned.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Just saw the lights go on now & the fireworks,

Amazing...........

Well, good for you little boy, must have been exciting for you to be allowed to stay up so late.
Now, off you go to bo bo's it's time for the grown ups to play.
Night night sleep tight mind the bed bugs don't bite.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Well I turned out to be right. We took the fantastic sum of £10, although the net total was actually £9.70 as we gave 3 people 10p to use the toilets. seems public events like this in the town centre don't require public toilets to be open. Glad I'm not one of the street cleaners on duty in the morning :rolleyes:

Apparently the fireworks are paid for by the Arndale.

As ever Broadway resembled an after school club for high schools

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Big thanks for everyone that turned up we broke the records set in the past, Boomin the band were well received, Kelly Llorenna went down well, her mic went off once however it was still coming through the monitors as i was on stage so we sorted that one, ive attached a picture from the stage, Ive been given the job of organising next years, but ive asked for a larger budget if possible, Thank you for everyone that attended http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php...type=1&theater

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Heres the crowd shot

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...ights2011.jpg/

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Looks like it was really well attended - and was a success. Bee certainly seems to have appreciated it! Like a firework display myself even at my age. The best one i ever saw was in Sefton Park L'pool -they reflected beautifully in the Lake and, of course, there is a romantic connection to the memory...:o:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Was good, the fireworks, over the lake in Seffy park.

Odd, to think it might have been you, rubbin' yourself up against me, all that time ago, in the early eighties, when we were both students in that great city.

:rolleyes::D

Glad everyone seemed to have enjoyed last night's festivities.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Wishful thinking! (On my behalf of course.....);):D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Best one I ever saw was at the end of the Monsters of Rock Festival, Donnington in '88 (I still have the t-shirt) The fireworks lit our way back to the campsite - no romantic connection though, as I was sharing the tent with two blokes!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Well Leon am glad it was a success, n broke records set in the past, which leads me to wonder 2 things, 1,Why then do yeh require a bigger budget? 2. Will council tax payers bear the cost if yeh get it? aint knocking yer efforts, but wondering if the "Market Hall" "Wilkinsons" plus other retailers were not open, the bogs were closed, who has actually benefitted:confused:?

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Never been to Donnington but did get to see Larks in the Park in L'pool between 1983-85 in Sefton Park again.

It was a great time for music in L'pool again after the 60's boom -saw Frankie goes to Hollywood, Tears for Fears...among others.:)

Also saw Eurythmics in the Student's union -in the phase when Annie Lennox used to throw her bra into the crowd ...

Great times -wish i could go back and live it again...

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Yeah, those were the days. At festivals in the 80's & 90's we used to sleep in a tent or even the car. Went to one a couple of years ago and checked into a Travel lodge....that's when you know you're getting old!!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

For Bee's info the Pound Bakery is in the old Music Zone store on Broadway and when I managed the aforementioned Music Zone we all hated the late night shopping/firework night!

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Bah, humbug!

I remember you Missy, always dressed up as one of Santa's li'l helpers.

Handing out festive turkey twizzlers to babies in Burberry buggies, parked outside your store.

:D

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

All good mothers go to iceland i thought:D:D

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I'm unable to mention Lindsay's prawn ring on here, until after the festive watershed.

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

[QUOTE=garinda;949448]I'm unable to mention Lindsay's prawn ring on here, until after the festive watershed.[/Q
I will show it to you instead.:D:D

http://www.iceland.co.uk/_assets/ima...xauto/1173.jpg

Re: Xmas lights.........
 

Um that's different sweety:D