Holt Christmas lights. Picture: Denise Bradley

POLL: Should Holt’s Christmas lights be white or multi-coloured?

by Alex Hurrell , Reporter Friday, November 25, 2011
9:57 AM

Holt’s iconic Christmas lights are on. But now the question is this: is all-white alright?

Christmas elves entertain at the Holt Christmas lights switch on. Picture: Denise Bradley

The latest switch-on, which happened on Wednesday, has triggered a debate about whether the white lights are tasteful or dull, and whether the Georgian market town should follow its rivals and plump for the colours of the rainbow.

At the bottom of this story, the debate has started, with “samphirelover” saying: “A lot of people are now saying Holt lights have been the same old boring plain white lights for decades.

“Christmas is a time of colour - golds, greens, reds, silvers, midnight blues, etc. When the country is swathed in grey mists and white snow, colour is a joy.”

But “celebrategoodtimes” says: “White lights all the way. Go to a million other places if you want coloured ones because it’s the beauty of them that put those smiles on everyone’s faces and pulls coachloads into Holt.”

Sisters Rachel Dyball, 6, left, and Lily, 8, with their lanterns at the Holt Christmas lights switch on. Picture: Denise Bradley

You can have your say in our comments column or vote in our poll to the right of this story.

On Wednesday, the town was transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland in front of thousands after a countdown led by Ed Parker, co-founder of forces charity Walking with the Wounded, who runs a wine business at nearby Stody.

For those who like their tradition with a bit of a twist, a troubadour pack of ukulele-playing elves rapped Christmas favourites among the crowds.

Church and Gresham’s School choristers, the Fakenham Town Band and Cromer Pier’s Seaside Special cast also entertained, and a firework display, climbing wall, Razz the clown, stalls galore, lantern parade, open shops and trio of real reindeer added Christmas spice to the mulled mix of attractions on offer.

Esme Bagnall-Oakeley, chairman of Holt’s Christmas lights committee, was delighted this week’s fog lifted in time for the event and there was no repeat of last year’s snow which fell so thick and fast it drove people home early.

She said traders had rallied to a plea earlier this month to try and double the £8,000 raised for the switch-on.

“It’s a tough time for businesses but they have six weeks of these lights in which to promote themselves and it does make a huge difference,” said Mrs Bagnall-Oakeley.

Visitors flocked from far afield to marvel at the spectacle, including a newly-wed couple from Cambridgeshire who were staying in Holt for their honeymoon, especially to see the switch-on, she added.

Mr Parker, 46, who lives near Reepham, said he was honoured but confessed to feeling nervous about being the switch-on VIP.

“I’m out of my comfort zone - I’d be happier hooked to a sledge at the North Pole with the wind and ice in my face,” he joked.

He was among a party including wounded servicemen who were joined by charity patron Prince Harry on a trek to the North Pole earlier this year.

The charity was founded to help wounded soldiers re-adjust, re-train and face the world again after suffering life-changing injuries in service.

Plans are now being made for a trip to Mount Everest next spring when five wounded men will aim for the summit and a further four will climb to base camp. They include a man who has lost an arm and another who sustained 40-degree burns.

Mr Parker’s wife Harriet ran a Walking with the Wounded stall in the street during the evening and his daughters Kitty and Olivia, who are pupils at Gresham’s School in Holt, were among the evening’s revellers.

Committee member Simon Gresham only moved to Holt, from Surrey, earlier this year but pitched in to community life straight away and was in charge of lights at the switch-on.

He oversaw the decoration of five feature buildings, including St Andrew’s and the Methodist churches, and the Old School House, plus lights in a number of Christmas trees.

“A lot of towns have a few strings of lights here and there but the whole of Holt is lit up - it’s just magical. Coaches taking people to the Thursford spectacular make a detour especially to see Holt,” said Mr Gresham.

During the evening Georgina Holloway, High Sheriff of Norfolk, judged the Balthazar wine bar as having the best lights and awarded best-dressed window prize to the Red Dot Gallery.

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24 comments

Also to add to MR T's Comment, The Fireworks are funded from the Committee not the council so if you have a problem with the car parking charges i propose you take it up with them.

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Pyrofection

Monday, November 28, 2011
Holt Chrismas Lights is run by a committee of Volunteers. The Committee Rase the funds via the shops and other work they do all for free and this is the thanks they get????????? Would you rather see Holt with No Light's at all?? I am very happy to be a part of the Christmas lights events and will suport the Committee as much as i can.

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Pyrofection

Monday, November 28, 2011
TBD - thank you for that. I went last night and saw the red lights you mention on the tree. So it's mainly white lights (again) throughout the town and then Bakers & Larners have gone for Gold. We're heading in the right direction then !!

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samphirelover

Monday, November 28, 2011
White lights lend a classy air. And as for the "green" issues. They are a load of codswallop, but we can be TAXED on them, that's why green issues are important.

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Lord Elf

Friday, November 25, 2011
spare cash?use it to sponsor mending a pothole.light pollution abounds. where are the green issues now?conveniently forgotten for a month.

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bookworm

Friday, November 25, 2011
if local business have spare cash then spend it on things than stupid lights.green issues are forgotten at xmas.hypocrites. also scrooge liked xmas in the end---i never did like it. please "get with my programme people".

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bookworm

Friday, November 25, 2011
well local business should use the spare cash more wisely then.i repeat scrooge came around to liking xmas(read your Dickens)but i never have and never will.get with my programme people!!

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bookworm

Friday, November 25, 2011
Holt Christmas lights should always be white but for those who have not noticed there are red lights on the tree alongside the war memorial - one red light for everyone who gave their life during the various conflicts. Is this not a wonderful idea. As for the individual who said should the money not have been spent more effectively can I reassure that person (Scrooge) that the lights are totally funded by local businesses.

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TBD

Friday, November 25, 2011
White is much more tasteful and in keeping with the 'period' look of Holt. If there has to be colour keep it white and blue.

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Sam Rushworth

Friday, November 25, 2011
White. Those wanting multi-coloured lights can go to any other town in the UK (except possibly Diss...).

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Alex S

Friday, November 25, 2011
RT @samphirelover It seems from the poll results that my taste is shared by the vast majority of those responding. If you want to indulge your philistinism, go somewhere else. For those complaining about the cost, I believe the lights are paid for by the shop-keepers, not the taxpayers.

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Richard Kelham

Friday, November 25, 2011
White, Coloured, Multi. How about Off and use the money wasted for something more sensible.

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Mr T

Friday, November 25, 2011
if they overcharge parking fees it will be xmas cancelled next year.they are sleepwalking into disaster. funny with green issues rammed down ones pie hole that xmas=excessive lights greed paper goods used and dumped.

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bookworm

Friday, November 25, 2011
Coloured Lights ! Is that all the people in Holt have got to worry about? I went up there on Friday Morning, and I'll be dammed if I could tell the difference. You just make sure that that Green Belt around you is kept firmly in place.

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Pa Snipps

Friday, November 25, 2011
I think they should be all Blue.

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Callum Ringer

Friday, November 25, 2011
Keep em white, its classy.

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Abraham

Friday, November 25, 2011
Keep the white lights! They are always a good display which sets them apart from eveyone else. We go to see them every year and have never been inclined to go to see the hotch potch 'displays' that other towns and cities have. Surely the fact that so many people come to see them says all that is needed to be said?

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andy

Friday, November 25, 2011
Amazing night, the elves were absolutely hilarious....saw a little boy jigging away to them beside his pushchair so they went up and danced with him. White lights ALL the way. Go to a million other places if you want couloured ones because it's the beauty of them that put those smiles on everyones' faces and pulls coachlaods into Holt.

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celebrategoodtimes

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Really pleased the weather wasn't a repeat of last year!

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Jono Read

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Ha ha Richard Kelham - you bit! They are more tasteful in your opinion only. A lot of people are now saying Holt lights have been the same old boring plain white lights for decades. In case you hadn't heard, Christmas is a time of colour - golds, greens, reds, silvers, midnight blues etc. When the country is swathed in grey mists and white snow colour is a joy. Open you mind a bit Richard!

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samphirelover

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Hang on a minute! I have just read a story about increasing car park charges by 70% but they can afford to blow money on totally environmentally unfriendly ridiculous lights and send a fortune up in smoke on fireworks. Just what is going on??

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Mr T

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Best part of last night's switch-on? The fireworks of course! Spectacular! The original concept to convey a Christmas message of cheer from the traders of Holt to all their supporting customers throughout the year on the Switch-On night is now somewhat lost, and that's a great shame. For example - a climbing wall? What's that got to do with Christmas? Perhaps its time to reflect and give Esme Bagnall-Oakeley a well-deserved break, the only person who works tirelessly under enormous pressure and fierce criticism when she asks for support. Keep Calm and Carry On.

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Tufty

Thursday, November 24, 2011
They are more tasteful. If you want gaudy try somewhere else.

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Richard Kelham

Wednesday, November 23, 2011
I suppose it's the same old white lights as in previous years - the Committee always thinks they are more tasteful and a bit more up-market. Give Holt some colour. Bah Humbug!!

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samphirelover

Wednesday, November 23, 2011