What do you think of Newbury's Christmas Lights this year?

[Administrator]

What do you think of Newbury's Christmas Lights this year?

Newbury has a new set of Christmas Lights.

Does anybody have any comments to make?

[Number 6]

I think the lights are a great improvement over the tired old set that had long ago outlived their usefulness. The clocktower all dressed up especially adds to the appearance of Northbrook Street and hopefully the marketplace when switched on will complete the experience for our young people. Not a great fan of them being switched on so early but can understand the retailers wanting to get full value from their investment. Together with the Christmas Market Newbury is really making an effort this year. Way to go when times are tough.

[Archie]

The indivdual displays are better and more colourful than the old ones. However the distribution around the town seems very spasmodic. There is a huge gap in Northbrook Street between the bridge and the entrance to Parkway.

I will miss the traditional light switch on which always used to be on Friday evening. Most of the lights are already switched on and I'm not bringing my kids into town tomorrow night to mingle with the piss artists who have just left the racecourse.

[GrumpyEddie]

I thought they looked good. It seems a shame that businesses had their names pinned on though. For me it rather ruined it.

[blackdog]

I think the lights are a great improvement over the tired old set that had long ago outlived their usefulness.

The tired old set were dumped a couple of years ago and replaced by LED displays that were almost too dim to be seen if the moon was out.  This years are brighter and hence add a bit more festive cheer.

[BrianB]

The light switch on ceremony this year was marred by lack of visibility. Nobody (apart from those at the front) could see what was going on. In previous years, an articulated trailer has been used as an improvised stage. This year everything took place in a small section in front of the Town Hall. Nobody could hear anything apart from the countdown when it did take place. Hundreds of people at the back saw and heard nothing until they could see that the lights had actually been switched on. I heard many people muttering what a waste of time it had been as they left the Market Place.

I cannot understand why Heart FM were the radio station for the event. What happened to the Breeze?

It was also a nightmare for those who parked in the Wharf. The area jammed solid with taxis and buses. Anyone trying to get out of the car parks stood no chance.

Apart from that, it was good to see so many people in town.

[Number 6]

I did not make the switch on this year (kids to old and too many other things to do  :() but made it down to the Christmas market at about 7.30 pm and must say I found it all very enjoyable and attractive with a great atmosphere. With a choir singing and plenty of food and drink to be had, together with stalls selling various seasonal goods and presents, the whole thing was very well done indeed. Time will tell if it is an overall success but a good crowd on the night seemed to be spending money so hopefully it will be financially viable for the vendors as I can see this becoming quite an ongoing tradition if it can be maintained.The venue works well situated as it is next to the new shopping centre though not quite sure what the tenants of the expensive flats would make of an annual market ! Must find time to sample the bier - my ability to drink a stein in one go is long gone, these days I would just spill most of it down myself if I tried.Should fit right in with the rest  ;D