Bideford Christmas Light Switch-On draws crowds despite weather

The Bideford Christmas Light Switch-On, held on Sunday, December 1, was packed with entertainment, despite the drizzly weather. 

The event featured live music from Oliver Wattley, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Joe Hutchings, Westcroft School Choir, Bideford Town Band, St Mary’s School Choir, and dance performances from Louisa Hockins School of Performing Arts and Sarah Ann Westcott Dance School. 

Hosts Rob Watson and Jude Gubb kept the crowd engaged throughout the festivities.

The parade, led by the Bideford Pipe and Drums, also included a ride for Santa, courtesy of Evans Transport, who also provided the stage. 

Bideford’s Carnival Royalty joined the parade, and the event culminated in a performance by Beckon the Wyrd and a fire show by Higher Beings.

The lights were switched on by local hero Jack Hopkins, aged 10, who was nominated by Bideford Mayor Rachel Clarke. 

Jack, an ambassador for the Tony Hudgell Foundation, has raised over £20,000 for the foundation since 2021. 

His fundraising journey began when he was just five years old, walking 5km twice a week to raise money for the NHS during the first lockdown. 

Jack was later recognised as a Lockdown Legend and awarded a British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) for his efforts.

Lucy Lowe from South West Event Management Solutions CIC, who organised the event, said: “Despite the drizzly weather, the community still turned out in full force to support the event and see the lights go on. We would like to thank everyone who attended the event and everyone involved in the production, including our many volunteer stewards. Huge thanks to Bideford Town Council and Bideford Bridge Trust for their grants which make the event possible, also to Evans Transport for providing the stage and ride for Santa, Tarka Scaffolding for providing the platform and stage access, TDC for the licence to use their land and use of gazebos, Slee Blackwell Solicitors for sponsoring the event, all of the performers, entertainers, AngelFire Pyrotechnics, and our medical, fire and security teams. Thanks as always to our amazing event photographer Graham Hobbs for capturing the day!”

Over 200 hours were worked by volunteers during the event, with an additional 120 hours of planning prior to the event, including licence applications, road closure applications, bookings, writing event management plans, risk assessments, and advertising. 

South West Event Management Solutions CIC is always looking for support with future events and invites anyone interested in volunteering to contact Lucy Lowe at lucyloweevents@outlook.com.

Upcoming events from South West Event Management Solutions CIC include:

• Bideford’s Christmas Market: Saturday, 14 December at Bideford Pannier Market, as part of Bideford’s Victorian Frost Fair
• Rosemoor Wedding Fayre: Saturday, 1 and Sunday, 2 March 2025

For more information, visit the South West Event Management Solutions CIC website: https://southwesteventmanagementsolutionscic.co.uk