Lights go up on a ‘special community’
Town’s virtual switch-on heralds a Christmas like no other
THATCHAM got into the festive spirit when the town’s Christmas lights were turned on in a virtual ceremony on Friday.
The coronavirus pandemic meant there could be no onlookers for the annual event, which normally features community stalls and draws a large crowd to the Broadway.
Instead, the town council and community streamed the big switch-on virtually and put together a special video.
In the video, members of Thatcham’s community, aided by Vox Fresh, sang a cover of Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), followed by the switching on of the town’s lights.
Town mayor Mike Cole introduced the “slightly different” ceremony and encouraged people to use the town’s independent shops in the run-up to Christmas.
He said: “This year has been unlike any other in living memory.
“It’s been, at best, disruptive, and at worst, traumatic for so many people in our town.
“But we have also seen the best in our community this year.
“We’ve seen volunteers go shopping for other people, get prescriptions, walk dogs, and thousands of acts of kindness
that have been shown from our residents to each other, and I have never been prouder to be mayor of such a caring and supportive town as we’ve seen this year.”
St Mary’s Church team rector Mark Bennet gave a Christmas blessing to the “special community” of Thatcham that was unable to gather as it normally would for the event.
In addition to new lights down the High Street, a 30ft brightly-lit Norwegian spruce, grown locally and sponsored by Oakley Green Conservatories, took centre stage.
Standing beside the tree and new for this year was a pair of ‘life-size’ animated and sparkling reindeer, sponsored by McCarthy and Stone.
The company is building 92 retirement apartments off Station Road and The Moors and donated more than £850 to the reindeer installation.
McCarthy and Stone Southern divisional marketing manager Nicki Beswarick said: “Christmas is a time when communities like Thatcham really come into their own to celebrate.
“Whilst we are all still uncertain what Christmas will look like this year, we are pleased to be able to play a part in this year’s festivities and hope the glittering reindeer will help bring Christmas cheer to the people of Thatcham.”
Shops are also being encouraged to dress their windows on a star theme for the best-dressed window display.
The Newbury Weekly News has partnered with the town council again and you can vote online at www.newburytoday.co.uk for your favourite window.
The winners will be announced on Friday, December 18.
The town council is also asking for help to save the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ by using your smart phone to find 10 ‘Spirits of Christmas’ located in town centre windows.