THE countdown to Christmas has begun and Westbury is celebrating in style this year starting with the Christmas lights switch-on, on Saturday 28th November.
Excitement is building and there is a buzz around the town as Westbury gears up for a Christmas extravaganza.
Town clerk, Keith Harvey said, “If this year’s events are as successful as last year, we will all be very happy. We always receive comments and compliments about Westbury’s Christmas Lights display and I’m sure this year will be no different.”
The Events Day and Lights Switch-On event will be from 10am-9pm in the Market Place and town centre. There will also be free parking in Westbury car parks for the day.
There will be a mobile zoo, reptile display in the All Saints Church Hall, music, inflatables, Christmas camels, miniature railway, street entertainers and dancers, plus much more.
The funfair will be located in the upper level of the High Street car park from 10am through until 9pm, with a two deck fun house, swing boats, soft play, chair planes and refreshments.
The Lights Switch On event will be from 5.00pm in the High Street with Father Christmas, music, mince pies, mulled wine, entertainment and much more.
The evening schedule is: 5pm: Street entertainers including a neon juggler
5pm: Cley Hill Stompers
5.30pm: Frome Street Bandits – weather permitting
5.55pm: Mayor’s address
6pm: Winners of Christmas card and model competition announced.
6.05pm: Winner of shop window competition announced
6.10pm: Lions’ Santa Float to start moving from Haynes Road
6.20pm: Prize winners’ photographs. Elves hand out sweets
6.25pm: Children on stage to start countdown
6.30pm: LIGHTS ON
6.35pm: Cley Hill Stompers perform
6.45pm: Father Christmas exits
7.00pm: Finish
There are lots of events going on in and around Westbury over the festive period. Here are a few to watch out for:
Saturday 21st November
10am-noon: Westbury Parish Winter Fair, Westbury Parish Hall.
Saturday 28th November
10am-noon: Advent Children’s Craft Workshop, All Saints Church.
Saturday 5th December
10am-noon: Seasonal coffee morning, Westbury Parish Hall.
Saturday 5th December
10.30am-noon: Seasonal coffee morning, Westbury United Reformed Church Hall.
3pm: Musical Festive Fun, West End Baptist Church.
Monday 7th December:
2pm: County Women’s Institute Christmas Concert, All Saints Church.
Thursday 10th December:
6-8pm: Opening of The Christmas Tree Festival, All Saints Church.
Westbury Town Council made a comment regarding street-sellers at the Christmas Lights Switch-on Event. They said, “Over the last couple of years we have experienced an increase in the amount of street peddlers at our Christmas Lights Switch-on event selling balloons and flashy toys.
“These peddlers come from all of the country, turn up unannounced and do not pay for a pitch as their licences allow them to sell as long as they continue to move. They take trade away from local charities and stall holders and there is nothing we can do about them, other than keep them moving.
“We have asked the local police to attend this year to monitor the situation.”
