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Topic ID 3980

01/12/2008 by Steve

Christmas lights turn-on

What a damp squib that was! Duncombe School choir were inaudible, as was the Mayor(ess). Half the lights came on several minutes before she'd even switched on, and the rest when they came on were underwhelming. That having been said, it was good to see so many people out and about in the town and so much going on. The snow queen on stilts was particularly impressive.


0 replies

Archived Replies

Reply ID 57730

01/12/2008 by aubend

How negative. If you hate the place that much why don't you move?


Reply ID 57731

01/12/2008 by Ray_by_the_Beane

Yes I too thought it was disappointing considering the number of people who had gathered to witness it. Since the streetlights were made much brighter following the installation of CCT several years ago, I have always thought the Christmas lights fight a loosing battle to stand out.


Reply ID 57733

01/12/2008 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by aubend
How negative. If you hate the place that much why don't you move?
Maybe you didn't get beyond the first paragraph.


Reply ID 57734

01/12/2008 by aubend

quote:
Originally posted by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by aubend
How negative. If you hate the place that much why don't you move?
Maybe you didn't get beyond the first paragraph.
No. Personally I thought it was a wonderful occasion full hope and festivity and warmed the cockles of my heart to think how wonderful this lovely town of ours is. Sigh.


Reply ID 57736

01/12/2008 by newgirl

Totally agree - I couldn't hear the choir at all. Probably won't bother going next year. Better to stick to the Saturday shopping when all the shops are open[:(]


Reply ID 57737

01/12/2008 by dennismoore

It was a freezing cold November (just) day and a lot of us don't even want to think about Christmas yet. I know the decorations have been up since the summer but wouldn't this have worked better next week or the week after?


Reply ID 57752

01/12/2008 by DCI monkfish

Its nice to see the council are being eco-minded by not turning on all of the Christmas lights...


Reply ID 57777

03/12/2008 by newgirl

Just been peeping into Ware Online. They are really getting excited about their Dickensian evening on Friday. I know we used to have the Medieval Night and that fizzled out (Health and safety?) but surely we could have come up with something grander than what happened on Sunday? Here is a paste from the thread that tells you what they have managed - "Christmas Tree Festival in Leaside church WI Christmas Market in the Priory Ware Museum open all evening St Mary's church - produce and craft stalls, refreshments, carol service at 9.15 Fairground rides in Baldock St and Amwell End Tudor Square - over 20 stalls - tree lights on at 7pm Jazz band, Samba band, Salvation Army choir Baldock St - Classic cars plus shops open and music Amwell End - Air Ambulance Appeal, Mercury Bus, Amwell Rotary Father Christmas plus shops open Drill Hall - Craft Market - over 20 stalls High St - Commercial stalls and Entertainment plus shops open Place House - Craft Market, tombola, book stall and refreshments There is also a shop window competition to be judged during the day - theme open - winter, Christmas, Dickens, etc There is a fancy dress competition on the night with Dickensian theme or Victorian theme. Most shops are offering a mince pie or a drink with every sale and many will be giving a discount on the night."


Reply ID 57779

03/12/2008 by Steve

A similar list of what took place in Hertford Town Centre would feature much of the same. This is not an exhaustive list but... Craft and gift fairs at both Hertford Castle and Castle Hall Stlit walking snow queen Victorian themed events at Hertford Museum Shop window competition Richard Hale School Band at The Corn Exchange Simon Balle School Band at St.Andrews Church Live reindeer in Bircherley Green Camera Club exhibition at The Seed Warehouse Town crier Pantomime characters around the town


Reply ID 57781

03/12/2008 by Marilyn

And there is a Christmas Tree Festival in All Saints this weekend...........


Reply ID 57786

03/12/2008 by newgirl

I was in Hertford on Sunday and believe me, it wasn't all that exciting. Part of the problem seemed to be that all of the events were so separate and there was hardly anything going on in the street. I saw the stilt walker and the lonely street crier and the Xmas tree (but could not see or hear the choir). I know there were things going on behind closed doors in other buildings and I did go in the Museum and Castle Hall - but as for festive spirit and atmosphere....... Any idea what the average attendance of the Hertford event and the Ware event is?


Reply ID 57790

03/12/2008 by Arty

The St.Andrew Street 'Win a Wii' was very successful - and the winner received his prize today (Wednesday). Slightly fuzzy picture on the website http://www.standrewstreet-hertford.co.uk.


Reply ID 58055

10/12/2008 by Turnip77

It is soooo easy to moan and criticise. Several of the businesses, with help from the Town Council, put a lot of effort in to organising this but they cant do everything. Perhaps those complaining would like to volunteer to help next year?


Reply ID 58123

12/12/2008 by gregb

quote:
Originally posted by Turnip77
It is soooo easy to moan and criticise. Several of the businesses, with help from the Town Council, put a lot of effort in to organising this but they cant do everything. Perhaps those complaining would like to volunteer to help next year?
Maybe their organising skills are not up to scratch then? I attended with my partner and 2 children and thought it was pretty poor. I was very proud of how many people had turned out but the organisation was rubbish! We took the kids to see Santa and were not impressed! No signs up anywhere explaining where he would be. No signs up in the museum explaining you had to buy tickets BEFORE joining the queue. Eventually we got to meet the old gift bearer but the whole environment was very tame - a chair, a screen divider and some red tissue paper. The kids did enjoy it but when I were a lad the grottos we used to visit Santa in (Pearsons in Enfield Town) were very well designed and kitted out to make it such a magical experience. A bit of lighting and props would go a long way. No wonder people stop believing in Santa at such an early age these days. Hopefully the organisers will take note and it'll be a better affair next year. Ho ho ho. Meeeeerrry Christmas!


Reply ID 58133

12/12/2008 by Richie

quote:
Originally posted by Turnip77
It is soooo easy to moan and criticise. Several of the businesses, with help from the Town Council, put a lot of effort in to organising this but they cant do everything. Perhaps those complaining would like to volunteer to help next year?
Aha so now we have it. It appears that a vegetable was in charge of the organising! [:D]


Reply ID 58168

15/12/2008 by kevsaunders

Bah humbug


Reply ID 58170

15/12/2008 by spitfire

quote:
Originally posted by kevsaunders
Bah humbug
Perhaps Hertford needs one of these...... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7779067.stm


Reply ID 58173

15/12/2008 by GillP

quote:
Originally posted by spitfire
quote:
Originally posted by kevsaunders
Bah humbug
Perhaps Hertford needs one of these...... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7779067.stm
HA HA HA yes! I know someone who would join it too!


Reply ID 58176

15/12/2008 by sloopjohnb

Me also[:D] or should it be [V]. Perhaps [}:)]


Reply ID 58189

15/12/2008 by night owl

Yummy Rudolf burgers :-)


Reply ID 58276

18/12/2008 by Turnip77

Maybe their organising skills are not up to scratch then? I attended with my partner and 2 children and thought it was pretty poor. I was very proud of how many people had turned out but the organisation was rubbish! We took the kids to see Santa and were not impressed! No signs up anywhere explaining where he would be. No signs up in the museum explaining you had to buy tickets BEFORE joining the queue. Eventually we got to meet the old gift bearer but the whole environment was very tame - a chair, a screen divider and some red tissue paper. The kids did enjoy it but when I were a lad the grottos we used to visit Santa in (Pearsons in Enfield Town) were very well designed and kitted out to make it such a magical experience. A bit of lighting and props would go a long way. No wonder people stop believing in Santa at such an early age these days. Hopefully the organisers will take note and it'll be a better affair next year. Ho ho ho. Meeeeerrry Christmas! [/quote] Then take it up with the Museum. Each area organised its own event as part of the whole. You cant have a go at the whole event becuase one thing was not to your liking. You should have visited Fr Christmas in the Castle instead. We went to him and he was great.


Reply ID 58278

18/12/2008 by Turnip77

quote:
Aha so now we have it. It appears that a vegetable was in charge of the organising! [:D]
Not in charge - not even involved. It was all run by a few local retailers and given that this is the first time they have ever done it and with very little support, I think they did well. The reason Ware is so successful is that everyone gets behind it. All we do in Hertford is complain when it is not what we would have liked. Answer is to volunteer to help!!


22 replies