Summer’s here and plans for Stratford’s Christmas lights are in place
A SUMMER heatwave may be in progress, but thoughts have already turned to Christmas and the need for more volunteers to make sure Stratford’s lights are among the region’s best.
The switch-on event – one of the biggest in the West Midlands – attracts thousands of people but the event is not always 100 per cent guaranteed as it relies on funding and countless hours of work by volunteers on Stratford Christmas Lights Company.
Former lights committee chair, Matthew Combes, who stepped down this year because of work commitments said: “Stratford Christmas lights are huge. They are one of the biggest displays in the UK for a town our size and last year we celebrated 40 years of the lights, but it’s very hard to find volunteers willing to give up their time to put the lights spectacular on each year.
“The lights get bigger and bigger every Christmas and are thoroughly enjoyed by people who travel long distances to come and see them, but they’re never guaranteed from one year to the next. I’ve had a great time as chair since 2020 and will remain as a lights committee member and we hope to have the lights on again this Christmas.”
Fellow committee member, Roy Lodge, added: “We have enough money for this year’s lights but we need someone to come forward as our new chairperson. We are always a bit concerned about putting the lights on, but I don’t think 2025 will be any problem.”
Stratford Town Council is expected to announce the date of the 2024 Christmas lights switch-on event soon.
