Skip to main content

Chelmsford Christmas Lights Switch On - 24th November 2013


Although I started my Christmas shopping a while ago, I just don't feel properly festive until the Christmas lights are switched on in my home city. It's an annual event I always look forward too, and I've been to many - seeing penguins, reindeer's, ice sculptures, and music acts such as Lee Mead, Olly Murs, Kym Marsh (as she was then) and Jo from S Club. The town is full of festive cheer, there's always a nice community spirit, and queues of people round the hot chocolate and mulled wine stalls.

This year I popped into town for the 2013 event and I was more than ready to relax and have some fun. There were lovely lights strung between the market and shops, which created quite a stunning effect, a mobile farm created a live nativity scene, and children were busy getting their faces painted, or taking part in craft activities.

I snapped a few festive photo's then made my way up the high street to the Heart FM music stage for the afternoons main entertainment. I arrived to the sounds of a female singer and her live percussionist blasting out some dance tracks, which made a refreshing change, as previous year's events have been overloaded on Christmas songs. Before you label me the Grinch, I like Christmas songs, just not acts going on one after the other, singing the same tunes.

Also performing were 3 large community choirs, all with energetic choir masters, leading each choir through a wide range of old and new pop hits. Between The Big Sing, Funky Voices, and Rock Choir there was Madonna, a Take That Medley, and some amusing air guitar to 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love'. I think with 3 choirs having decent length sets, there was a different atmosphere around the stage, and not so much of a buzz/build-up towards the lights switch-on and fireworks, but you could fault their energy or vocals - though maybe their dance routines need a little practice.

Chelmsford's more recognisable faces this year were local act 'Next Of Kin', currently touring the
Copyright - Lauren John
country after escaping the X Factor bubble, and performing two acoustic sets at our switch on event. It felt a bit like they had something to prove after being knocked out, but as far as vocal range and ability as musicians goes, they don't need to worry. I'm not a big fan of 'More Than Words' or 'Too Much Heaven', both a bit dated as songs whatever you do to them, but their version of 'Higher Love' is definitely one to listen out for, and after several listens 'Can't Find Me' is starting to grow on me as well. I'd like to see what they do with a full kit instrument wise, and maybe 2 acoustics instead of one on a track as well. If you've got it, why not flaunt it!!

That's just me being picky though, and apart from the over dose of choral energy, and being in the wrong place to get the full effect of the fireworks (again!) it was another fun event, just feeling a bit of a festive anti climax now, so I better get working on Mum and Dad to get the Christmas tree down from the loft.

Has anything special happened where you are for Christmas? who did you have turning on the lights, why not get festive and let us all know below. Until then 'Happy Christmas'.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hobbycraft Lino Printing Online Workshop Review

 One of the things that has been great to see now we have come through the worst of the Covid pandemic, has been companies continuing with the online activities they launched during the lockdowns. Hobbycraft now offer a wide range of workshops online and in-store through the year, and I recently took part in an online lino printing workshop, so I thought I'd blog a bit more about what's on offer and the workshop I took part in. What workshops are on offer?  These vary through the year, and can involve seasonal, adults, and kid's workshops in-store and online. If you click on the workshops you are interested in finding out more about, you can find out about what's included in the price, what you'll learn, and the available workshop dates, there's also the opportunity to request private events for groups. While I'm writing this, there are workshops on Cricut, watercolour painting, knitting, paint pouring, seasonal wreath making, using clay, sewing, and a new

The Christmas Holiday By Phillipa Ashley Book Review

I apologise now for any or all mentions of the word Christmas in this blog post, but with a lot going on in life and work I just have to go with whatever calls to me in my reading pile, which this time was The Christmas Holiday by Phillipa Ashley.  Released last year, this book will always have a special place in my bookish heart because I helped with some crafting inspiration for it, and to see my name in the credits of this paperback is something I will always treasure. I was so excited to see how and where my ideas were used, but managed to control my impatience and not skip any pages. Although I have been a member of Phillipa's Facebook group for a while, this is my first read of hers  (have another in my reading pile) so I opened this book with a mix of anticipation and a slight fear of the unknown - I really wanted to love the book I helped with! And love it I did. It made a refreshing change to read a novel set in the Lake District, and also one which wasn't just a stere

Hocus Pocus 2 Film Review

Halloween is one of my favourite times of year for films, and I've loved all the witch and wizard magical, spooky-themed films since I was young. I was really looking forward to seeing Hocus Pocus 2, but I had no idea what to expect from the sequel. Would they pick up where they left off in 1993, move on a bit but with a strong connection to the original, or do something completely different? This Disney + release turned out to be the latter, and I found myself watching a modern-day Salem on screen. The old town is now a 'historic district' which has the air of a novel tourist attraction, complete with a mystical magic shop which presents the story of Salem and the Sanderson Sisters as some kind of commercial entertainment enterprise - hear the story, buy some magical merch.  The detail in Gilbert's shop and his stage show presentation are very apt for the modern day, and the feeling that the Sanderson sister's legend has become less powerful and more humorous myth