December 2021 - the lights are on!
We sincerely apologise, that due to the Covid Pandemic, we were unable to hold our usual switch on event in 2021. However, the lights are on, as usual - for all to enjoy.
Information about previous years' 'Lights Switch On' events (which usually occur on the first Saturday in December):
Things get underway from around 4.30 pm. with a variety of seasonal stalls serving hot food and mulled wine in the area around The Green. Income from these stalls and donations are our main source of raising the £8,000 required annually. There is usually regular musical contributions from the E.A.S.Y. Band and the local school choir. Santa Claus arrives at 5pm and will be around for the rest of the evening with gifts for all the children who visit his grotto.
Preparation
The installation itself will begin around the end of September. That may seem very early but we try to spend only a couple of mornings each week so that it remains fun and not too strenuous but also allows for the vagaries of the weather.
Until recently the equipment has been stored in numerous barns and outbuildings scattered around the village. A lot of time, effort and form filling has enabled the purchase of our own container situated in the middle of the village so this is the first year that lights display equipment will be taken from the new storage facility to be installed.
There are over 4,000 lamps and almost a mile of cable so it takes in excess of 1,000 man-hours to put on the annual display of Christmas lights in the village. In addition to the 25 or so volunteers there is additional support from a large number of businesses and individuals in the village.
Thank you for help in previous years
All Saints' Church, Balderson’s Bakery, Bridgefoot Guest House, The Buck Inn, Cedar Barn, The Chocolate Factory, Clothes4Comfort, The Hall, Hunters of Helmsley, The Hill Institute, Lavenders Tea Rooms, Maria’s Wool Shop, Mathewson’s Classic Car sales, Mennell Motors, MKM Building Supplies, The New Inn, Trustees of The Old Grammar School, Pickering Musical Society, Ryedale Carpets, Savills Estate Agents, The Village Scarecrow Committee, Thornton le Dale C of E Primary School, Thornton Dale Fisheries, The Village Hall, Wardill Brothers, Warrington House Coffee Shop, Brian Wright Plant Hire, Thornton le Dale Chemists, HPE Print, Pace Cycles. Thanks also to Oliver who helped out in Santa’s Grotto.
There was also a large number of individuals, too many to mention, both throughout the year and also on Switch On Night itself. Many others have assisted anonymously. We could not have done it without you.
The purpose of putting together this list is to acknowledge that the “Lights” is very much a community effort.
If I have missed anyone out I apologise. Please drop me an e-mail and I will correct the acknowledgement.
David Andrews: Chairman
Want to know more?
Such is the quality of the display that they have featured on BBC Look North. (Click here to see us on the BBC)
You can also follow us on Twitter.
Can You Help?
The display and Switch On Night activities are entirely put on by a team of volunteers. However we are getting older! We would really appreciate some additional help. If you are interested in finding out more please e-mail David Mitchell at [email protected] . We would love to hear from you and it is a great way of adding to the village community spirit.
Contacts:
David Andrews: 01751 473716 [email protected]
David Mitchell: 01751 475726 [email protected]
Tony Bradshaw: 01751 477582 [email protected]
Dan Dwyer: 01751 474464
Martin Sanderson: 01751 474516
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