The Wivenhoe Encyclopedia

Hundreds of people came on Thursday evening - the Churchyard was heaving. First of all there were crowds of adults lining the Lower High Street with buggies and holding children's hands tightly awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas. They weren't disappointed. Just before 6.00 p.m. Father Christmas appeared walking down the road waving and greeting everyone - his sleigh followed with the Mayor of Wivenhoe Cllr. Gilli Primrose sitting in it. 

The sleigh having come to rest outside the Church, Cllr. Primrose stepped down and went into St. Mary's Churchyard where she said a few words of thanks to all involved in organising the evening and the lighting team who had worked so hard. 

Cllr. Primrose then asked the assembled crowd to join her in a countdown from 10 and upon reaching zero the button was pressed and the lights on the Church itself and churchyard were turned on. The bells from the church tower rang out and all the lights throughout the Town were turned on. The effect was magical and is a great credit to Dave Sleigtholm, Mary Hignell and everyone else in the lighting team. 

The formalities over the crowds then swarmed into the Church itself to take advantage of the stalls inside and dispersed in every direction to take advantage of the bargains offered by the local traders and partake of the mulled wine and nibbles on offer - and of course in Rollo Estates offices the live music performed by Mike Rollo himself.

The evening was a great success not only financially for the many organisations, charities and traders which took part, and hopefully too for the 5 art galleries and exhibitions that were also open that evening. It was an amazing night for Wivenhoe. The atmosphere was wonderful with families and friends joining together to celebrate the turning on of the lights and the beginning of the Christmas festivities.

Bonnie Hill
Chairman, St Mary's Fund-Raising Committee

Picture right: Bonnie, Dave Sleightholm, Graeme Martin and John Foster.  

Note: Photographs above by Roy Murchie

 

Many people thought this year's lights better than last. One thing's for certain, they are not easy to photograph to give them justice. There were lights on buildings right from the top of Wivenhoe to the bottom. Well done the lighting team.

Last updated:
21 August 2005