Christmas in Harpenden
Christmas in Harpenden
Harpenden Lights Spectacular
This year’s Harpenden Christmas Carnival which incorporates the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights is to take place in Harpenden town centre on Sunday 25th November 2012. The switch on event in Southdown will then follow on Friday 30th November and Batford will switch on their lights on Sunday 2nd December.
Each area will display a locally grown Christmas tree, the largest being a 30ft tree in Harpenden High Street. Southdown and Batford will also have trees and decorations helping to showcase their vibrant communities.
Harpenden’s Town Mayor Councillor Mrs Nicola Linacre said; “This year our lights will be bigger and better than ever. We have gradually improved the lights every year based on feedback from our residents. Last year we had an estimated 10,000 people at the town centre switch on, making it the most successful community event in Harpenden, so come along and enjoy the celebrations.” For further information please contact
Montell Neufville Community Service Officer 01582 463665
Christmas Poster Competition--Winner and Runners Up
The Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Nicola Linacre recently held a special reception in the Council Chamber for the winner and runners up of her Christmas Poster Competition 2012. (photo below)
The winner, Zoe, was presented with a certificate and a £25 WHSmith gift card and the runners up received certificates and gift cards according to the award that they received.
The Town Mayor’s theme for 2012 had been ‘The Meaning of Christmas’ and Zoe’s design incorporated the theme very well, depicting the words ‘Give’, ‘ Joy’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Love’ and including some miniature pictures of a snowman, sleigh, holly wreath, Christmas pudding, robin, nativity scene and star. Zoe’s design will be made into the Town Mayor’s Christmas card and she will be invited to switch on the Christmas lights at the Christmas Carnival in Harpenden on Sunday the 25th November.
Councillor Linacre also presented Zoe’s school, High Beeches Primary, with a cheque for £100.
Above. Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Nicola Linacre with Zoe and the deputy head of High Beeches.
Another fabulous Christmas Carnival and Lights On for Harpenden. Sunday Nov 25
A bright and cool afternoon saw crowds building in the High Street as they enjoyed all the activities of the Carnival including the annual parade. The climax of the day was the Lights On by Zoe,( see her story below) ably assisted by the cast of Dick Whittington and Town Mayor Nicola Linacre.
Why the Farmers Market was cancelled
I met John Bagshaw the Harpenden Town Clerk (Nov 27) to find out the rationale behind the decision. He told me “At 7am on Sunday morning when the stall units were being erected it was very windy with strong guests blowing the covers around. The company (Ray Linge) who install the Charity units decided at 7.30 that under the present conditions there could be serious danger to the public and took a decision NOT to erect the units. The Town Council who own the stall units for the Market traders also use the same Ray Linge stands. Had the Town Council proceeded and there had been injuries to the public then our Insurance cover could have been in jeopardy. After consultations with colleagues I took the difficult decision to call off the market and advise traders not to attend.” Ron Taylor. Editor.
A Winner of the Christmas Window Competition in Harpenden!
The first prize for Harpenden Town Council’s Christmas window competition for 2012 was Stage Door of 2 Piggotshill Lane Southdown. The owner Yuri Margossion, who has managed the shop for the past four years, said.“ I was extremely delighted and felt humbled to win this prestigious competition. I know there was a lot of competition from all over Harpenden town with many shops having excellent displays. I’d like to give thanks to my daughter who helped plan and organise the display”.
The Mayor of Harpenden Town, Councillor Mrs Nicola Linacre, said “This year was a particularly good year for the Town. I would like to thank all those shops who took the time and trouble to enter. Not only were they raising the profile of their own shops but they were adding so much to the festive season and generating much cheer and goodwill. I would also like to thank the sponsors Lamps and Tubes and also Blachere for kindly donating lights for the winners.”
Eighteen shops from all over the Town entered the competition, which closed on 30th November 2012. The Town Mayor and the Deputy Town Mayor were the judges. Stage Door will be presented with the annual prize of an engraved rose bowl and, in addition, this year there is a prize of a large set of Christmas lights. Rollings Wine Company was chosen as the runner up and will be presented with a smaller selection of lights.