*PRESS RELEASE*
New Lights for the High Street
Bognor Regis, 1st November 2007:
Bognor Regis Town Council’s commitment to revitalising the Christmas Illuminations continues this year with new lights planned for the High Street, York Road and the Queensway. This follows the bold new displays unveiled in London Road last year.
The Switch On event will take place on Saturday 17th November at 4 pm and Christopher Timothy will be turning on the lights, subject to his film and theatre commitments.
As last year, a competition for children has resulted in two new designs being specially commissioned and details of these will be released next week.
Entertainment throughout the day is being arranged, which will include the Salvation Army band. Also in the town centre will be a Stable Scene with cow, goat, sheep and donkey (subject to any restrictions that may be in place). A Santa’s Grotto will run in the Taylor Room at the theatre from 1.30 to 3.30 pm and then again from 4.30 to 6.00 pm. Admission £1 per child.
A Craft & Gift Fair will take place at the theatre and Garage Ceramics will be there for children who want to try their hand at pottery painting.
The characters from this years pantomime, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, will perform on stage before the switch on and Art of Dance & Fitness will add to the Christmas atmosphere with their choir. There may even be snow!!
*PRESS RELEASE*
Call to Retailers – support your Christmas Lights
Bognor Regis, 2nd October 2007:
The Town Council is appealing to local retailers to support their efforts to put new and improved lighting displays throughout the town.
As part of the rolling programme undertaken by the Town Council, brand new lighting displays were installed in the London Road shopping precinct last Christmas. This year, the programme will be extended to the High Street and York Road.
However, the Council would like to do more to enhance these displays and is seeking the support of local retailers. A Council spokesman said “If every business were to donate just £20 it would help us to extend the displays to areas currently left out of the scheme. The provision of the Town’s lighting is to benefit all; those who live in the town, those who visit and those who run businesses.”
Local businesses who wish to support the lights may do so in a number of ways:
- A donation to the Illuminations fund
- Sponsoring a banner in the month before the lights go up
- Providing articles for a Tombola to raise funds
- Gifts for the Santa’s grotto.
Any business interested in supporting the Illuminations should contact the Events Officer on 01243 825535 for more details.
*PRESS RELEASE*
Spectacular New Lights for Christmas – Snow Time
Bognor Regis, 20th November 2006:
Last week’s planned switch-on of the new Christmas Illuminations had to be abandoned due to the wet and windy weather. Although the lights were ready to go, most of the entertainment that had been lined up had pulled out, due to the prevailing conditions. The stage area to be used for the ceremony was also open to the elements and it was felt that, as the weather was likely to reduce the numbers attending, it would be better to re-arrange the switch on for this week.
The New Lights will now be switched on this Friday, at 7pm. The ceremony will take place at the junction of the High Street and London Road, and will begin with the switching on of the new lights designed by two local children, Loulou and Summer.
This will take place at 6.45, followed by the main switch on at 7.
Stars from the pantomime Beauty and the Beast will be on hand to throw the switch to light up the town. And there will be SNOW……..Snow …..Snow
Santa’s Grotto will again be at the Theatre, from 5 pm, and some of the local shops will be offering late night shopping.
Just in case, measures will be taken to ensure the stage remains dry for the main event – the lights will go on.
*ENDS*
*PRESS RELEASE*
Spectacular New Lights for Christmas
Bognor Regis, October 2006:
Work is underway to get the new Christmas lights ready and in place for the big Switch On, due to take place at 7 pm on Friday 17th November.
The Town Council have taken the decision to invest in a rolling three year programme to renew the festive lighting. This year will see a new, spectacular lighting display in the London Road precinct, with existing stock being used in other parts of the town. It is hoped to expand this next Christmas.
There will also be two ‘special’ lighting displays, details of which will be released next week.
The Switch On is being supported by the Chamber of Commerce, who are organising the late night shopping activities, and the Hotham Arts Centre, whose panto star, Mike McClean (of Channel 4’s Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy fame) will be throwing the switch.
Activities on the evening include: entertainment, children’s rides, gift stalls and pottery painting (in the Theatre). A Santa’s Grotto will take place in the Theatre from 5.30 pm. Many of the shops will be staying open late to entice shoppers with their Christmas goodies.
Spirit FM will be running an Outside Broadcast leading up to and during the event.
*ENDS*