Stratford Christmas lights still in top ten sights to see
“TO see the kids faces light up with joy was our reward.”
The words of Mick Love as he described how his 37 years as chairman of Stratford Christmas Lights was a wonderful time especially when it came to the big switch on where families and a primary school choir gathered in front of the town hall each year to sing carols and cheer the arrival of Christmas with all its trimmings and herald the start of another festive fun packed season.
The Christmas lights in Stratford are a treasure not to be missed which is why thousands of people visit the town each year to soak up the spectacular illuminations which celebrate their 40th anniversary in November.
Thanks to the foresight of a group of dedicated and determined Stratfordians back in 1983, the lights have shone in the very heart of the town since then.
One of those dedicated enthusiasts who was instrumental in establishing the town’s original Christmas lights was Ron Barnacle who with his wife Pam ran a guesthouse on Grove Road, Stratford.
Ron and fellow guesthouse owner, Ernie Coulston, plus Tom Ganderton took the lead in raising funds to pay for the Christmas lights in the 1980s. It was Ron’s wish to do something for the community and brighten up Stratford and today the lights display is considered one of the best in the country along with Edinburgh and Cardiff.
Former chairman Mick Love is currently in the process of collating his memories for a future memoire about the lights. He and two other committee members who were also town councillors and former mayors have contributed their thoughts to this article in addition to the current Christmas lights chairman, Matthew Coombes.
Mick Love said: “I joined the committee in 1987 and not long after we set up a limited company to organise the lights each year. It started off in Henley Street and built up in each street from there. Each street had a separate theme and colour. Eventually we were voted one of the top six light displays in the country. It was a wonderful reward to the kids faces light up at the town hall when the lights were switched on and now many of those kids are bringing their kids to see the lights so do have a legacy to celebrate that started 40 years ago.”
Former Christmas lights committee member, Charles Bates proudly recalls his time serving Stratford.
“I was a town councillor and eventually I got invited to be on the lights committee. We set up a company and Mick Love was appointed chairman. There were thousands of lights and amazingly they were lit by ordinary domestic light bulbs that were coloured but it’s become a lot more professional now.
In the past Marks and Spencer was one of the main sponsors but that arrangement came to an end and now Stratford Town Council and Stratford Town Trust help sponsor the lights.
To me the lights literally light up Christmas and with the Victorian Market it really is the start of Christmas but we must look after our local businesses as well and make sure they benefit from the visitors attracted to the town by the lights.”
Lights chairman Matthew Coombes added his thoughts.
“I moved to Stratford in Summer 2018. I looked at various opportunities and came across the Christmas Lights which seemed perfect My family have always been Christmas lovers particularly my paternal grandmother, Gwen, who is responsible for many of the traditions we celebrate as a family to this day. Sadly, she passed away in 2020 so never saw me become chairman or the lights in town. My contribution to the lights are in memory to her, I’m sure they can be seen from heaven! Our 40th year will be celebrated by new lights on Ely Street and Bridge Street. The Barclays Tree will glow in red (Ruby- 40th anniversary) and there will be some 40th celebration decorations also.”
But there are financial considerations to manage all year round.
“We are lucky to still receive a generous grant from the town council who have supported us since inception. The BID and town trust are also supporters and the rest of the money comes from sponsorship and donations. Dr Roy Lodge spends many days visiting business asking for donations,” Matthew Coombes said.
Christmas might seem a long way away but this Saturday is the first day of autumn and in some respects the countdown to Christmas has begun which means the countdown from ten down one by families gathered in Stratford on Saturday, 18th November when the lights get switched on means the season of goodwill has arrived once more. Former lights committee member Maureen Beckett knows only too well how special that festive feeling is in Stratford.
“When I joined the town council the lights committee was the one I wanted to be on. I can’t pick a favourite year, but a tear comes to my eye during switch on night every year,” Maureen said.
And the work of the committee was always diligent.
“Committee members tested every single bulb and even checked bulbs were lit on Christmas Day. For me one of the most memorable occasions was to see the lamp posts in Henley Street covered in a green swathe. We got the idea from a 1905 photo taken of the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations when the lamp posts were decorated with laurel leaves. When I was a committee member all the lights were switched on at the same time by men on ladders. Stratford lights are better than anywhere else and I do think they will continue for years to come.”
L This year’s switch-on is Saturday, 18th November at 5.30pm. The lights will then shine daily between 4pm and 11pm until 3rd January 2024.
To donate or sponsor Stratford’s Christmas lights visit: committee@stratforduponavonchristmaslights.co.uk
