SPECTACULAR fireworks and music celebrated the switching on of Melksham’s Christmas lights on Saturday when thousands of people flocked to the Market Place to marvel at the town’s magical display.
Described as ‘bigger and better than ever before’, the display includes the town’s new digital Christmas tree.
Leading up to the switch-on, the Market Place and Assembly Hall were transformed into a festive hub with over 60 stalls from local groups and charities, along with entertainment in the Assembly Hall and on the stage in the Market Place.
Melksham’s mayor, councillor Simon Crundell said, “This year, the Christmas lights switch on was bigger and better than ever before, and Melksham has certainly raised the bar just that bit more.
“It was incredible to see so many in our town come together, with many thousands of people joining the celebrations in the Market Place for the fayre and switch on.
“We are hugely indebted to the heroic effort of everyone who has been dedicated to make this fantastic event possible, including our town council staff and a small army of volunteers. And, of course, special thanks are owed to Melksham Christmas Lights, who have braved the miserable weather for weeks on end to brighten our month with Melksham’s beautiful Christmas lights.
“Thank you to everyone who came along, we hope you and your family enjoyed the celebrations.”
Switching on the lights and declaring the start of Christmas in Melksham, Ethan Williams from the Melksham Young Carers group said, “I was really surprised to be chosen to turn on the lights, I’ve never done anything like this before and it was fantastic to be up on the stage and to see the lights go on and the fireworks go off!”
Ethan, who helps to look after his brother, was selected to press the button to turn on the lights by the Melksham Young Carers Group.
Melksham’s display tops Vancouver’s
Former Melksham News reporter, Ben Fenlon, who moved to Vancouver, Canada, this year, watched the Melksham switch-on via the town council’s live feed. He said, “No one does Christmas quite like Melksham! I went to the lighting of the Vancouver Christmas tree – the biggest in Western Canada – and the event was not a patch on Melksham’s! So, forget ‘best in the west’, more like ‘best in the world’!”
To make a donation to the lights, visit https://www.melkshamlights.com
