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Hundreds turnout for Gainsborough light switch on
GAINSBOROUGH kick-started the festive season in style on Friday when it switched on the Christmas lights.
Hundreds of people from the surrounding area braved the cold and flocked to the ceremonies in Marshall's Yard and the town centre.
At Marshall's Yard, Santa, the Town Crier, Lincs FM's Bear and DJ Edward Bretton entertained the crowd while they waited for Cinderella to arrive in a horse drawn carriage at 6pm.
Pressing the Christmas klaxon signalled the yard's blue and white decorations to light up, although it took two attempts for the silver pyramid in the car park to sparkle.
In town the celebrations started at 5.30pm, with local band The Torn playing a set and fairground rides and food stalls giving the town centre a festive feel before the huge Christmas tree was lit up.
Arnold Richards, 56, of Gainsborough, said: "This is the best I've seen in 15 years – it's full of life and very vibrant. Brilliant. Somebody's got it right this year."
Ann-Marie Dumpleton, 26, of Ropery Road, took her children to see the lights. She said: "The kids have really enjoyed it. It's definitely a lot better this year."
And Alison Knight, 48, was visiting from Australia to join her mum June McLintock at Marshall's Yard lights. She said: "It's good for the town, getting everyone together. Gainsborough has a lot more going for it now."
Linda Longstaffe, 55, from Ordsall, Retford, used to live in Gainsborough and still comes back for the lights: "There's lots of people here and everyone's enjoying themselves!"
The Mayor, Coun Pearl Banyard, was delighted with the turnout.
"It's just fantastic. Gainsborough Town Council tried to work in conjunction with Marshall's Yard and turned the order around this year. Hopefully it will get better and better," she said.
The Town Crier rang his bell and the lights were switched on at 6.30pm in the market square, and the Salvation Army and All Saints Parish School choir led the carol-singing.
Terry Stubbings, Gainsborough's Town Crier, said the whole evening was fantastic.
"It's a lovely thing to do and a tradition that should never die out in England," he said.
Sisters Margaret and Jill Keeton, from North Leverton, really enjoyed the evening.
Jill said: "The lights are very nice – blue shows the buildings off best and makes it stand out." Margaret agreed: "It's great for Gainsborough – we come here now instead of Retford."
There were a few problems encountered on the night with the fairground noise overpowering the singers and the Salvation Army's megaphone was hard to hear, meaning many people at the back of the crowd did not know which carols to sing.
Ann Naulls, 66, from Morton, said it was a great shame. "For years and years the Salvation Army have been at the switch-on of the lights in Gainsborough and this year you couldn't hear over the noise at the back. A simple microphone would have done."
Jane Richards, from Corringham, said: "It started off brilliantly but there was no Father Christmas so there was no finish to it. The council should have respected our tradition and our ceremony."
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Weather for Gainsborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
