Pewsey Christmas Lights (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pewsey Christmas Lights

12:45pm Monday 17th November 2008

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VERY little happens in Pewsey that does not in some shape or form have a connection with the village’s annual Carnival and its Christmas lights are no exception.

The lights belong to the carnival committee and they are erected by the group that has become known as the lighting gang.

In recent years carnival has paid for new lights which are strung across the Market Place and in the High Street, North Street and River Street.

The lighting gang comprises willing volunteers, some of whom have been doing the job for years.

The lights will be switched on at the end of the village’s Christmas Fair, at 5pm on Saturday November 29, by the Carnival Queen Lauren Cook who will be ably assisted by her attendants Freya Bridges and Shevon Kane.

Switching on the lights will be the culmination of a fun filled afternoon in and around the centre of Pewsey.

In past years the Christmas fair has been spread along the streets but after last year’s event was nearly a washout with non-stop rain earlier in the day - although it halted miraculously at 2pm when the fair started - much of this year’s event will be indoors in the Bouverie Hall and in the adjacent Wesley Church and its hall.

One of the Christmas fair organisers, and a member of the carnival committee, Phil Stevens, said: “The switching on of the lights is interwoven with the Christmas fair.”

At 4.30pm there will be a grand parade through the village, led by Father Christmas and Kooky the Clown with the recently formed Cooper’s Choir, Pewsey’s own Kings Korner Band and Phoenix Brass through North Street to the Market Place.

There will be carols in the Market Place around the King Alfred statue, and at about 5pm the lights will be switched on to brighten the night.

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