Quieter fireworks planned for Stafford's Christmas light switch-on event
Stafford town centre’s annual Christmas lights switch-on is set to go with less of a bang than previous years, in a move that has been welcomed by a local dog rescue charity.
Quieter fireworks will be used at the extravaganza on Saturday (November 22) which welcomes the arrival of the festival season in the county town.
Families can enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and live music in Market Square. Thousands of people are expected to join the fun leading up to the Christmas light switch-on. The stars of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s Stafford Gatehouse panto, will join the borough mayor Jenny Barron and Father Christmas on stage to do the honours and the firework display will light up the sky just after 5pm, accompanied by music from the Market Square stage.
November can be a stressful time for animals, as well as people who are sensitive to loud noises from fireworks. Anne Marie Kitt, founder of Boycie’s Bridge Dog Rescue, said: “We would be overjoyed to see how displays can be amazing and enjoyable, without the heartache and devastation the traditional type of fireworks can cause.
“It’s an awful time of year for anyone who owns a pet who is anxious with fireworks noise. Many have to go so far as to medicate pets to help calm them, they can become so frantic it causes collapses, seizures and other physical health issues.
“Although fireworks have been around for many years, they have increased in volume and some of the bangs are extremely loud, far louder than years gone by. It’s not just our pets that are affected: wildlife, horses and farm animals regularly lose their lives through frantically trying to escape from fireworks.”
Borough councillor Gillian Pardesi, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We will still have the fabulous array of colourful fireworks decorating the sky with the specially arranged soundtrack to go with them. There’s going to be plenty of entertainment from 2pm and live music on stage as always leading up to, and after, the lights being switched on, so we hope the thousands watching will have a fantastic time.”
Freedom Leisure is managing Saturday’s event and visitors are advised to arrive early, as the main area in Market Square will be temporarily closed from 4.45pm for safety reasons. Big screens will be installed to make sure town centre visitors can view the proceedings and 40ft decorated Christmas tree will take centre stage in Market Square.
Stone Town Council is also gearing up for festive fun this week. Stone’s Christmas light switch-on event will take place on Thursday, November 20 from 5pm, with the combined schools’ choir and pupils from Alleyne’s Drama Society getting visitors into the seasonal spirit.
Father Christmas will be taking time out of his busy schedule to join Stone mayor Jason Metters to switch on the lights at 7pm and they will be joined by the winners of the mayor’s Christmas Card competition.
The event is being supported by Stafford Borough Council’s High Street Boost campaign. The Government has provided funding to support this year’s switch-on.
Warwick’s Funfair will be set up in the Market Square and down High Street and there will be food stalls, trade stalls, and charity stalls. Mobile traders selling light-up goods are also expected to be present in the High Street, but these sellers are not endorsed or authorised by Stone Town Council.
Councillor Jill Hood, chairman of the council’s tourism and town promotion sub-committee, said: “I always look forward to this event, when the High Street is lit up with Christmas trees and the school choirs sing to the town. We are excited to welcome Alleyne’s students to perform scenes from their pantomime this year.
“We will again be putting on a fantastic show, with a full programme of entertainment and even Santa himself putting in an appearance. This is always a hugely popular event for all age groups, and I hope you will join us on the evening to welcome the Christmas season to Stone.”
