Christmas Lights switch-on

[Webmaster]

Did anyone see the Christmas Lights switch-on last night? You can add photos here if you like - either link to them using the "img" tag when posting a message, or e-mail them to webmaster(at)tetburyonline.co.uk.

Here's one to start you off!

[Webmaster]

Here's an e-mail we received from one visitor to the Christmas Lights switch-on...

I am not sure which organisation is responsible for organising the
events which are linked to the switching on of Tetbury's Christmas
lights, but I believe that they are doing the town a grave disservice.
Originally, this was a very pleasant occasion; it was an opportunity
for the traders to stay open a little longer and to welcome regular
customers as well as a few new ones. There was an offical opening, a school choir, and Santa Claus. Everything was in keeping with Tetbury's position as a rather special market town. This atmosphere has now been completely lost. We have a down-market fair; it is noisy, brash, uncultered and populated with large numbers of youths who have no intention of spending anything with the town's retailers. My guess is that if this kind of event is perservered with it will result in fewer and fewer traders participating and a growing boycott by Tetbury residents. May I suggest that whoever is responsible for this increasingly down-market occasion should think again.

[Macey]

Here here! It was really naff this year. Tetbury needs to be careful.

[tetburymum]

For the first time I understand that the Chamber of Commerce was solely responsible for the Festive evening - hence the charges for local groups to have a fund raising table! Apparently they had to cover all charges incurred whereas in the past the event has been subsidised by the Town Council. I wonder why they didn't want to help this year. Maybe that is why there were commercial rides and stalls there. Luckily the singing and music by local schools was very good and helped with the atmosphere and Wallace and Gromit did a good job in attracting families to the event.

[liv]

it is usually very good...this year there were too many teens and hoodies hogging the place and too many noisy fair rides! Why don't we just have the little stalls, late night shopping and the choirs and bands! Well done Jesse Smith, the burgers were delicious!