Countdown begins for Christmas lights

CHRISTMAS celebrations start in Westbury tomorrow (Saturday) with a festive film and lights switch-on. 

Residents can tune in online for the 6pm screening of ‘The Curious Mystery of the Missing Magical Virtual Christmas Lights Switch On Button’, which will coincide with the town being illuminated.

Each year the town council puts up and takes down the colourful Christmas lights and organises the annual switch-on event. The council also provides the Christmas tree in the Market Place.

Sadly, the traditional market and music entertainment will not take place this year due to Covid-19. However, the film featuring music, art, dance, drama, all surrounded by a scripted screenplay in a magical comedy drama, will keep the festive spirit alive and well.

A Christmas in Westbury spokesperson said, “Think Spielberg meets David Walliams – all wrapped up in a local magical mystery.”

The town council has been determined to bring the town together in safe and creative ways, commissioning the film earlier this year to ensure residents could enjoy a Christmas celebration at home.

The spokeserson said more than 90 cast and crew worked on the 35-minute short film, which made Covid compliant production a huge but extremely rewarding challenge, and added, “We hope you like it!…

“Oh, and have you seen the Magic Button?”

Running with the theme, cllr Ian Cunningham told White Horse News, “The magic button used to switch on Westbury’s Christmas lights is still missing. It has been reported that the button was last seen with the mayor at last year’s switch on event. The town council website correctly lists me as being mayor before our current mayor, cllr Mike Sutton, so some people have been erroneously linking my name to the loss of the button.

“During the first Covid lockdown the council was suspended, so there was no vote for a new mayor and cllr Sutton continued as mayor for a second year.

“I handed over the button after my year in office and cllr Sutton was in charge of it last year. He may have some awkward questions to answer but I am entirely blameless!”

Cllr Cunningham added, “A documentary crew have been investigating ‘buttongate’ and I hope they will have answers for us when their film airs!”

Find out more on the Christmas in Westbury Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christmasinwestburydsds