Fakenham’s Christmas lights switch-on celebration to return

Fakenham's Christmas light switch on event. Picture: Alastair Robinson (Image: Alastair Robinson)

The event which brings thousands into the town centre was cancelled last year, as nobody would take responsibility for organising it.

Fakenham Town Council clerk Linda Jennings said "Because of the comments people made last year, Ann (Kerrison, deputy town clerk) and I stepped up to try and put something together. Others have stepped in and we've got a team together. There will be market stalls and we're hoping to get something more family orientated than it has been in the past. Christmas can be a financially tough time, so we want to make it accessible for all."

Specific details are to be confirmed but the switch-on is due to be at some point over the weekend on November 30 and December 1.

To help readers celebrate the news, we have delved through our archives to dig out some photographs of Fakenham Christmas ligh ts switch-ons from years gone by, going back to the early 1960s.

Christmas trade in Fakenham was booming and one of the reasons for this was the influx of visitors to see the town lights and at the same time spend money in the town, 13 December 1965. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Christmas trade in Fakenham was booming and one of the reasons for this was the influx of visitors to see the town lights and at the same time spend money in the town, 13 December 1965. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Christmas trade in Fakenham was booming and one of the reasons for this was the influx of visitors to see the town lights and at the same time spend money in the town, 13 December 1965. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Christmas trade in Fakenham was booming and one of the reasons for this was the influx of visitors to see the town lights and at the same time spend money in the town, 13 December 1965. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Fakenham town centre Christmas lights in 2008. Photo: IAN BURT (Image: Archant © 2008)

Switch on of the Christmas Lights, Market Place, Fakenham in 2014. 10 minutes later the crowds had left due to the snow. Photo: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2008)

Switch on of the Christmas Lights 2008 in the Market Place, Fakenham. 10 minutes before there was a big crowd but most peolple had left because of the snow. Photo: Ian Burt (Image: Archant © 2008)

A large crowd turned out to see the Fakenham Christmas lights switched on in 2014. Picture: Ian Burt

Chamber of Trade president, Helen Smith with Fakenham town mayor Mike Coates and the Christmas lights in the town centre in 2005. Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2005)

Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - The crowd at the switch on. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights switch on 2015 - The lights in the town centre. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

Scenes from Fakenham Christmas Lights Switch On 2012. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2012)

Christmas lights made by electrician Terry Miles for Fakenham Garden Centre, December 2014. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

A view of the lights in Fakenham market place alight for the Christmas season in December 1961. In the background is the Church. Shops include John White and H and J Moore. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant)