‘Wow! What a show!’ Melksham’s Christmas lights extravaganza

MELKSHAM Christmas lights have dazzled the town once again and thousands of people packed the town centre to watch this year’s spectacular switch on.

The town’s popular Christmas fayre and switch on event were held on Saturday 3rd December and saw the Market Place filled with festive cheer.

Over 60 stalls were in the Assembly Hall while  local choirs sang carols and Christmas songs, then a huge crowd gathered outside the town hall at 5pm to see the lights switch on and a fireworks display.

The lights have, once again, been hailed as the best for miles around.

Mayor of Melksham, councillor Terri Welch said, “Wow, what a show! How fantastic that all this is done by volunteers. Thank you everybody who spent their weekends helping this superb show.”

The lights are put up by the Melksham Christmas Lights volunteers, led by Paul Weymouth, who donate their time for months leading up to the switch on.

This year the lights were switched on by Harry Kirkman, a local lad who, thanks to local people raising £60,000, had a life-changing spinal operation in the USA this year in hopes of easing his symptoms of cerebral palsy.

He was joined by mayor Terri Welch together with Keileigh Williams and her daughters Phoenix, 12, and Skye, 9, whose friends and family secretly arranged for them to be involved.

Keileigh told Melksham News, “It meant the world to us!  We are massive fans of the Christmas lights and of Melksham, and we have had a very tough 18 months since my son – the girls’ brother – was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“Our friends and family sorted it out and surprised us on Friday night. I was in hospital with my son at the time and it was so lovely to be able to tell the girls such amazing news!”

There were fairground games for children, visits to Santa’s grotto in the Town Hall and live music from local duo The Decibelles, the Melksham PSG choir and Melksham Music and Drama.

Many local charities and businesses took part in the day and local MP, Michelle Donelan, gave a short speech praising Melksham’s community spirit and declaring the lights better than those of Trowbridge.

Melksham Without parish councillor Paul Carter said, “The Christmas lights get better every year and this year was no exception.

“Congratulations to everyone who helped in all winds and weather over the last month. We are lucky in Melksham to have so many organisations, groups and displays that are maintained by enthusiastic volunteers that give a true sense of well-being in the town.”

Local woman Ann Cox said, “Every year I think ‘that’s the best Christmas lights ever in Melksham’ that won’t be topped – but once again it has been!

“The lights this year are fabulous,  and the tree astonishing,  better than last year’s and better than any nearby town or village.

“It is a joy to make the detour on the way home from work to drive through and see them every day.”