Community event planned for Xmas lights switch on

This year's Newtown Christmas lights switch on event will be planned to be flexible to fit in with the necessary coronavirus restrictions.

Newtown Town Council has announced the switch on will take place with a flash mob style event involving the community.

"Local arts and wellbeing company Celf Your Health have been awarded a small grant from National Lottery Community funding to bring together an exciting celebration event for Newtown’s Winter Lights switch on this November," said a council spokesperson.

"Celf Your Health directors Charlotte Woodford and Hazel Osborne Maddocks are planning a choreographed flash mob and a whole town DIY samba band made from what people can grab in their homes, whilst Jo Munton of Vagabondi Puppets will be supporting people to make colourful lanterns to ‘light up’ the town."


Hazel Osborne Maddocks, co-director of Celf Your Health and Zu-Aerial, said: "We are creating an event which can be flexible within COVID guidelines - and this will constantly evolve."

"Lots of people have spoken of wanting something that brings the community together, and a light parade has been mentioned many times. We’re looking to create a massive party - inside and outside homes in whatever way is possible and we want the whole community to come together and be involved."

The company will be looking for volunteers across areas including stewarding, fundraising, creative champions who will help to lead, support and encourage others.

In addition, performers will be drawn from the local talent available to make a programme of live streamed performances such as DJs, gymnastics, singers, poets, choirs, comedy, bands etc going on into the evening.

"Last year we put out a survey and from December ran a project in 14 schools and organisations across Newtown, introducing people to a variety of art forms and asking what they would like for the Newtown Light Switch on this year," said Charlotte Woodford, co-director of Celf Your Health and director of Newtown’s Hafren Community Choir.

"The response to this project was fantastic, but sadly we couldn't complete the planned community exhibition and final consultation day at the Oriel Davies Gallery because we suddenly found ourselves in lockdown. Despite this, we feel confident we got a good sense of what people have enjoyed in past winter events and they would like to see again."
 
Newtown and Llanwchaiarn Town Council said they were excited about the creative ideas the company have put forward.