The Clock is back for 2024!
The Clock is back together – after seven hours of repairs!
Time is passing very quickly, and, as I write this, I am very mindful of the fact that we only have one full Sunday left before the switch-on next weekend!
Last Sunday was really quite hard work. The most of the remaining existing set pieces were put up, plus one of the new ones (which plenty of people have noticed) and a lot of cabling too. In the previous week, two full days had been spent simply doing repairs to the Cracker and Snowmen. This week, the Clock has had major surgery, to make it easier to install. So, the displays look pretty well there to many, but in fact there is still much to be done.
This Sunday comes two of the biggest jobs – erecting the tree (which was duly felled in readiness on Thursday), which will keep one gang occupied virtually all day, and the second putting up the clock and other remaining set pieces then testing everything, including replacing all the dud lamp bulbs, and correcting any faults – and there are always some, usually in the most inaccessible areas. We are also installing some remote switching, so the number of feeds that have to be connected is greatly reduced. Trying to get through the huge throngs last year with ladders was extremely difficult. Electronics supremo Kevin has his soldering iron out again, and some ten new remote relay boxes are under construction.
It is sadly highly likely that we will be out and about during this week, getting ready for the swich-on. We well remember when Richard Ryan, then director of Blackpool Illuminations arrived early on the switch-on day to switch the lights on, and found us out and about with a cherry picker (he did arrive early!). The first thing he did was to get his tools and help. He was made an immediate life-member of the Light Brigade. Happy memories.
A big sorry to those who wanted the Robin back at the top of town! But the reason it was moved was of course to allow a proper view of the Twelve Days of Christmas – one of the biggest and most complex set pieces we have ever made. A huge amount of work went in to that. The Robin is still special to us – hence it has not been scrapped but moved to Old Road, where it can be easily seen. Things do change over the years – many will remember the first Robin, built by Tony Watkins, and located in the Square. We copied that old design in the small Robin in Pump Street, in memory of Tony who started animated displays in the first place. We are quite sentimental about old set pieces, and they rarely get dismantled. But we are making new pieces too – keep your eyes peeled!
Now, lastly, a plea for help! If you feel you could help, we are looking for additional stewards to assist with crowd control on switch-on day. Training will be given! If you are able, please email us on mail@bromyardchristmaslights.org.uk Thank you!