Yesterday afternoon we switched on the Headingley Christmas* Lights. Such is the humdrum of life as a Local Councillor that I was pleased to have gotten rid of the tacky old snowmen we were palmed off with last year. I know that's really quite sad but some times its the petty victories that sustain you in the dark times. Even in the Season of Good Will.
As its my last year I tied to put on a decent show. As ever Student Volunteers from Leeds Metropolitan University did us proud and put on a great party for local older folk in the Parish Hall. I'm grateful to the Lord Mayor for attending and working the tables and people loved him. I'm also grateful to Headingley Churches Together for singing some Carols by the War Memorial just before the switch on. The public reaction looked really good to me and next year we should make it into a proper carol concert and advertise it properly.
The main problems with the switch on event are (a) we can't afford a push button event. So they pop on on a timer (b) there's no where really big enough for people to stand and get a decent view as they are along Otley Rd. That's why we have always emphasised the community party bit of things.
In February 2008 I will be putting a bid to Area Committee to begin the process of replacing the current set of lights and secure there long term future. We are 6 years into there 10 year life span but the fun part is the design. Because Leeds is the only Council in Britain to make its own Lights we can allow the community to design new ones. Two of the existing set are unique and designed by residents of the former St Michael's Lane Hostel. I'm keen that if the new 5 lights are approved to work again with some marginalised groups on the art work.
I did feel a bit sad at it being my last year but that's what progressive politics is about. You build an institution and then hand it on for others to do with as they wish.
* look what I have done! Leeds City Council doesn't do Christmas Lights, they are "Festive" Lights. Call the thought Police!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Christmas Lights Switch On
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2 comments:
I'm not sure why you're under the impression that the council doesn't call them Christmas lights, all these council press releases refer to them as such.
http://tinyurl.com/37m6uh
http://tinyurl.com/2qa249
http://tinyurl.com/2uerko
http://tinyurl.com/2vza7h
In numerious meetings officers have corrected me from calling them christmas lights, the city centre display is branded " Leeds Lights" and the cororate branding ( when we had one locally) had to be for "Headingley Lights".
I can't link to the ones you have posted but i take your word for it.
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