Tower and Town, December 2023

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How Out Christmas Lights Were Saved

By the time T&T readers get this issue, the High Stret will be ablaze after dark with our spectacular, now familiar, blue lights. But do we remember that this almost didn’t happen?

In May 2006 it had been recognised that the existing stock of Christmas lights and the system of erecting them was no longer suitable. There were no funds available to replace and erect them and, to the dismay of local traders, a decision was made that there would be no Christmas lights that year.

As Martin Cook, who became Chairman of the soon to be formed “Marlborough Christmas Lights Association” said in a Tower and Town Article of 2006:

“A mix of local traders and other organisations and individuals decided that this would just not do! Christmas without sparkle? Marlborough without its wonderfully famous, wide High Street not lit up? Not if Tim Smith, the Greengrocer, and his enthusiastic and energetic band of supporters have anything to do with it! Local support was rallied and the decision was very definitely taken to bring Christmas back to Marlborough!”

At the end of the day 125 local businesses contributed to the project, many not located on the High Street at all, including local taxi firms.

Again, wrote Martin, “The result? A Christmas Lights display to rival many larger Wiltshire towns and one that has instantly brought smiles of happiness to all who live, work and visit Marlborough!”

Today, responsibility for the Christmas lights has returned to Marlborough Town Council.

Sara Holden