Panto stars join Exeter festive switch-on
DETAILS have been released of Exeter's Christmas lights switch-on following a campaign to save the display.
It had been feared that the city would be left in the dark after traders were initially reluctant to fund the lights. The city council revealed earlier in the year that it could no longer afford them due to budget cuts.
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After the Echo's campaign to keep the lights, businesses in the city stepped forward to ensure the display went ahead.
Tony Rowe, chairman of South West Communications, offered to underwrite the costs.
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And Marsh Barton firm SunGift Solar agreed to install them free of charge.
Now details have been released of the switch-on, which will take place in Princesshay Square on Thursday, November 24, from 5.30pm. The event will also mark the launch of late-night shopping in Exeter, until 9pm every Thursday during the run-up to Christmas.
The Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Stella Brock will join the two new Faces of Exeter's Princesshay and stars from the Cinderella Christmas panto to illuminate Princesshay and the rest of the city centre.
Gabriel Wondrausch, from SunGift Solar, whose staff are working 12-hour shifts to get the lights up and ready for the switch-on, said: "It just wouldn't feel like Christmas in Exeter without the lights, so when I heard that they might not be put up this year my immediate reaction was to offer our services.
"We're an Exeter company through and through and want the city to be vibrant and thriving during the Christmas period. We hope this news will put a smile on shoppers' faces and get them into the Christmas spirit."
Exeter's switch-on event will be hosted by Heart Exeter Breakfast presenters Matt Rogers and Caroline Cook on a stage in Princesshay Square from 5.30pm, with the lights switched on across the city centre at 6.30pm.
Families and visitors to Princesshay will be able to enjoy an evening of live music and entertainment. It includes Exeter's Just 4 Funk break dancers, stars from Cinderella, the Fox King Dance School, Bethany Rose Harrison and a special appearance from the popular Mama Stone's House Band.
Late night shopping will then continue until 9pm in the city centre.
Comments
by Exmouth1982
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 8:22PM
“#ThisisChristmas
Great, can't wait!”
by omnivore23
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 4:50PM
“Are you the same sunandmoon who admitted chucking her dog in the sea on these pages last week?
So, um, fireworks = bad and cruel to animals
Chucking your dog in the sea = good, they love it
Just want to make sure I got that right.
OK - you can get on with weeping now.”
by The Gandy Street Kitchen
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 4:21PM
“#ThisisChristmas
All the idiots asking about fireworks
think of the animals that will be frightened
think of TAUNTON RUGBY Club
Exeter does'nt need cheap lights or fireworks
People are starving In parts of India & Africa
and all some of you silly silly women
can think of is
"Will there be fireworks for my spoilt brats to watch "
it makes you want to weep it really does.”
by TheBrightside
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 3:55PM
“Its lovely to see peoples positive comments as usual. Look, people out there are willing to help, because of that my Son will be excited and smiling when he sees the christmas lights, this in turn will make me happy. Yes the country/county/city is failing but let us at least enjoy what we have in the short term. Who cares if its all done for the wrong reason, just enjoy it, chill out and have good times with the people around you. Merry Christmas! Love from me (trying to be positive)”
by GRIBBLE666
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 3:26PM
“yes Len And Wendy Davey are doing the firework display”
by melanie22
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 2:28PM
“"#Thisischristmas
Myself and my older Son are looking forward to the big switch on :)
my younger Son, soon to be 6 isn't :( He is convinced there will be fireworks, I have tried to talk him into it for the fun, but he is having none of it. Infact I'm not sure?? Will there be fireworks or not?
What ever we don't mind, we will still be spend, spend, spending!”
by melanie22
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 2:18PM
“#Thisischristmas
My self and my older Son are looking forward to seeing the big switch on in Exeter :)
my younger Son,very soon to be 6 isn't :( as he is convinced there will be fireworks, I have tried to talk him into it but he doesn't want to know! infact im not sure will there be fireworks or not???”
by The Normandy Arms
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 1:27PM
“hope it is going to
be more bloomin
imaginatine than
down in Pymouth
as me and my husband
went down to see my sister
who lives in millbay
and all the
lights seemed to be the same colour
red very strange.”
by Lauwer
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 12:30PM
“looks like a fun night! #ThisisChristmas”
by MissBettyS
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 11:46AM
“#ThisisChristmas
@bybeingfriendly makes some good points, I would like to see Sidwell Street get the attention it so desperately needs.
That said, I did enjoy the Christmas lights switch on last year, however, I felt it was the fireworks that really tied it together. I think it is unlikely there will be any this year, - though I'd love to hear I'm wrong here - partly because of the funding, and partly because the old Debenhams / new John Lewis building is probably not in a state to be a pyrotechnic stage.
Then the Urban Outfitters shop will be opening on the same day with a band, will the bands be playing at the same time? I'm not sure how it all will turn out, but I'm sure the atmosphere will be excellent.”