Horsham Forum - A Community Forum for Horsham and Southwater Residents and Businesses / Horsham Chat / Horsham Chat / Christmas Lights and Fireworks / Latest Posts

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Dancemix — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:30:46 GMT

[quote][b]M (03/12/2007)[/b][hr] (or DJ Brian Mole) could dress up the occasion.
[/quote]

!!!!!:w00t::D

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:46:38 GMT

We have to disagree with Mrs Mole and the little moles. We watched the band (singer & choir) who made a good stab at singing the Christmas songs. Then the procession arrived. Admitedly the bandstand lights lit up with no apparent ceremony before the service of six caroles commenced. The vicar delivered his sermon, good but the editting could have been a bit tighter! The show finished with some more Christmas songs.

To my mind this event could have taken place a bit closer to Christmas, even the Saturday before - or Sunday when the shops have shut. The lights should be turned on on the last Thursday evening of November. Even if we can't afford the fireworks then one of the Panto celebreties (appeared in Hidee Hi 30 years ago) with Spirit FM (or DJ Brian Mole) could dress up the occasion.

That's my view, perhaps the TCM would like to comment...

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Dancemix — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:17:51 GMT

There was some kind of event this weekend for the Christmas lights which I was not able to go to as I was working, but my wife and kids went to. They all came back really disappointed. My wife pointed out the massive crowds there were at previous years and the buzz for the switching on of the lights with fireworks etc.., and this year's effort was a very poor one indeed.

C'MON this is part of what makes Horsham special, don't drown it.

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

AndyH — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:40:20 GMT

Last weekend I was in Gloucestershire, and on Saturday evening Cheltenham had it's grand switch on. The place was packed with a parade through the town, and the lights being turned on by someone from Coronation Street. The following evening was Tewkesbury's turn. The town is still recovering from the July floods, but the town centre was closed off with a fair set up in the High Street. The whole place was buzzing!

It really shows up how little effort is needed to bring a whole town out to support it's local traders.

Let's hope someone takes this on board and gets Horsham back on next year's Christmas festival map!

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Maldini1 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:39:52 GMT

Count me in as well. Let's bring some fun back into the town during the festive season; it can only benefit the town. Can't it???

Although no doubt some po-faced council wallah will have different ideas.

Peter

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

DotNetWebs — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:56:14 GMT

We are already getting a lot of searches on this forum for information about the "Horsham Christmas Lights Switch On" and "Fireworks" etc. As most people will remember it was hugely popular event, and one that I believe the vast majority of Horsham people would like to see return.

Although unfortunately there are no fireworks this year, there are quite a lot of Horsham Town Centre events taking place. For more details see the Visit Horsham What's On Christmas 2007 page.

ps if anybody hasn't voted in the poll yet please do!

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

AndyH — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:24:41 GMT

Good to see that the County Times has finally picked up on this topic. If you look on their website, their online vote for today is "Should Horsham reinstate it's firework night for when the town's festive lights are switched on?"

Do these words sound familiar? Read my first post on this thread....

If this was pushed earlier in the year maybe we would all be looking forward to a great Saturday evening in The Carfax, and not a damp squib again.

Get voting Horsham. We got the Swans back now let's get something else back that helped put Horsham on the map!!!:w00t:

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:42:02 GMT

It is clearly too late to do anything about fireworks for this years Christmas Shopping launch but an event to kick off the late night shopping is needed.

At some point the lights have to be turned on. Now that could be by the town electrician or it could be by one of the leads in the panto. I am sure that the local radio (Something FM?) will be able to supply the music and the cost will be minimal.

The shops need to stay open to support it and not close early. In another post I mentioned that, last year, hungry shoppers who were already queuing were turned away from a take-away shop at 7pm. Hopefully they will do better this year.

The council could also have a table in Swan Walk to consult on the new position for the swans.

Next year we need the fireworks back and the council needs to hear our voice

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

AndyH — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:22:58 GMT

Thanks Task17 for picking this one up again.

Just a note to all the new members that have joined since the "Swans" saga, you can vote on this thread when you are signed on to the Forum. It may get noticed by those in power, and knowing now that the Forum is read by the council and other local bodies, you never know what will happen!

It may get the Christmas lights switch on and fireworks back for us.:)

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Task17 — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:37:52 GMT

Just been looking back at previous posts, and found this one. I am surprised that this wasn't picked up by many people.

Horsham should go back to the late night shopping on the last Saturday in November, and have a proper Switch On of the Christmas lights. It was such a great event, with local radio there and a firework display.Are the local shops and traders not pushing for it to be brought back? It must have been a money spinner for all of them, aswell as a good event to publicise the town.

Bring back the big switch on and fireworks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Dixey CB — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:53:16 GMT

Why is it so difficult for this town to possibly have a look around internationally. The web offers the facility to see how other countries celebrate different seasons. Christmas being one of them.

Maybe it would be an idea for the Horsham"Christmas committee" as well as the council, to work together and try something like a Christmas market, with a visual impact i.e. Santa on a horse, with Santa`s little helpers. Introduce a proper procession of children holding "candle light" torches together with x brass band, finishing with carol concert, which involves the public, in the car fax. Maybe even give the town a theme and refrain from the colorful miss match of lights which resemble a turkish bazaar.

How is it possible to obtain mulled wine, from winterly decorated, stylish wooden booths abroad and Horsham offers one tiny chest nut stand to serve the whole of West Street. Where are the christmas scents we all love so much and use in our homes.

If Horsham does not get its creative, festive hat on soon to spread the word, Horsham will loose its lead to Crawley and any surrounding village.:w00t:

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:06:23 GMT

[quote][b]Twinkle (05/02/2007)[/b][hr]We definitely do need a switching on. I've sometimes taken friends or family to it and they have loved it. I've never understood why the shops and cafe's haven't made use of all the shoppers in town, as everywhere seems to be closed. Horsham seems a far more popular place to shop than before and our cafe's and coffee shops are well used, so surely everybody would be a winner?[/quote]

The regular shops should open as well!

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Twinkle — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:11:35 GMT

We definitely do need a switching on. I've sometimes taken friends or family to it and they have loved it. I've never understood why the shops and cafe's haven't made use of all the shoppers in town, as everywhere seems to be closed. Horsham seems a far more popular place to shop than before and our cafe's and coffee shops are well used, so surely everybody would be a winner?

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

DotNetWebs — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 13:41:59 GMT

Hi Mikeh. Its good to hear from you again. I have just read you latest piece about the pantomime and its role in "gender-role confusion among young Britons" - hilarious. :D Everyone should read it. I have made your web link 'clickable' to make it easier to do so.

I agree with every thing that has been said so far about the fireworks and Christmas lights 'switch on' I think it was a great community event that brought a lot of people in Horsham (of all ages) together. Southwater has its November fireworks and it is great to see what looks like the whole Southwater community together for the evening. I think every town or village should have at least one such event.

I also agree that this event could be used to 'kick start' the Christmas late night shopping period. This year there was a mixed success with the late night shopping. The later weeks were very successful and the town was buzzing. It all started slowly though and it appears to me that many people where not aware that the late night shopping had 'officially' arrived. A big firework campaign announces this with a bang - literally. :w00t:

ps To those that have not voted yet remember you do need to reply to this message to take part in the poll. Just log in and make your vote

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

MikeH — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 08:16:58 GMT

Yes. That was a great event, and one my wife and I always looked forward to. These past two years have been something of a dud.

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:26:42 GMT

The figure quoted two years ago for the cost was £10,000 so about 20 pence per person, perhaps £1 per ratepayer. Perhaps the budget could be halved, sponsorship sought or something similar.

The town does need at least a 'swtich on' event to bring the spenders in. I use the term 'spenders' because that is what the town needs. It also needs similar follow up events for the subsequent late night shopping

I support the fireworks and the turn on :)

RE: Christmas Lights and Fireworks

Ernie — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 23:14:45 GMT

A big yes from me. This was THE one event of the year that brought a large majority of Horsham people together in the town centre. I am sure that with a bit of corporate sponsorship it need not be too big a drain on council funds.

Christmas Lights and Fireworks

AndyH — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:16:19 GMT

Should the council reinstate the Christmas lights "switch on" and firework display in late November, as used to happen? The town's lights are always good, but the last 2 years have been a bit of a damp squib when it comes to an event to publicise them and the town. Your thoughts please!

Some one may sit up and listen to the local tax payers.