DRAGONFLY AND THE MAN IN BLUE LIGHT UP THE TOWN!
This year, the Christmas Lights were linked to the town’s success in the regional and national ‘In Bloom’ competitions. Firstly, and focusing on Nature, our switch-on was carried-out by Miss Anna Chishti in her delightful dragonfly costume. Anna’s colourful outfit gained her the winner’s title in the Chamber of Trade Fair Day Fancy Dress Ugly Bug Ball Competition. Like all celebrities, Anna had a very busy day, coming specially from Gibside Brownie Camp to ‘press the button’ and then dashing back to her ‘pack’!
The display of blue LED lights in the Market Place was increased and will again remain ‘on’ until the commencement of British Summertime in March. (Don’t worry – their carbon footprint is minimal!!)
Another special link between our ‘In Bloom’ and Christmas Lights events is the wonderful support given by the Chamber of Trade, Borough and County Councils, and voluntary organisations, especially the Northumbrian Water Ellington Colliery Band, Soroptimists and the Clock Tower Bellringers. And we are delighted to have the great support of our very special singing leads – Alex, Jake, Jim, Keith and Roy and Reverend McLean. In a break with tradition, this year TWO people switched the lights on: PC George Cuthbertson joined Anna on the dais. Since the little celebration first began, George has quietly a skilfully managed traffic and crowd safety and will retire in February, after 25 years service with Northumbria Police. We thank George, especially, and the many people who generously contributed to the Air Ambulance and Christmas Lights collection - we hope to introduce some new features next year - be there!The annual display of Christmas Lights, a joint project between Morpeth Town Council, the Chamber of Trade and with help from Northumberland County Council, was the best so far for 2007.
Especial thanks:
To Blagdon
Estate for donating the Clock Tower Christmas Tree
and to Stan
Dawson for its delivery and setting up |