Lighting up Christmas in a different way this year
Christmas lights will shine across the region despite the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Traditionally, councils would be making plans for big public events in town and city centres, with communities coming together to celebrate the official lighting of the Christmas lights.
However, due to lockdown restrictions due to coronavirus, these events will not be possible in 2020, with many towns, cities and shopping centres making alternative arrangements.
In Staffordshire, lights have been switched on in a number of towns without much ceremony, with planned events across the county cancelled.
In Stafford, the council switched on the lights on Monday, and have produced a video message from the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Gareth Jones.
In the message, he spoke about how the community would not be able to meet as normal due to the need to social distance.
The mayor also said he hoped the lights would sprinkle a bit of magic over Stafford and raise the spirits of the key workers and wished everyone a health, safe and happy Christmas.
The lights have also been turned on in Burntwood, Cannock, Lichfield, Penkridge and Rugeley, with a virtual display created by Rugeley Council and two students producing a video of the lights turn-on in Stone.
In Dudley, the borough council moved the switch-on event online to bring all towns under the borough together on Saturday. The Christmas special was hosted by Black Country Radio and featured the Mayor of Dudley officially switching on the borough’s Christmas lights.
The event covered the whole borough of Dudley, meaning people in Brierley Hill, Halesowen, Stourbridge and other parts were able to be part of the town celebrations.
Residents in Wolverhampton have been invited to light up the city from their own homes as part of a community Christmas lights switch-on. People are being invited to flick the switch at 5pm, on December 1, while enjoying mince-pies, Christmas songs and a chat to neighbours from a safe social distance.
Residents will also be welcome to share pictures of their own Christmas switch-on via the council’s social media channels. In Sandwell, communities are being asked to put up their own displays at home as the borough battles with rising positive cases.
The council is working to put up Christmas lights in 20 towns across the borough, as well as eight large Christmas trees, with timers that are set to come on automatically at 4pm each day.
The region’s shopping centres have also made arrangements for Christmas lights, with many having already turned them on.
