We plan these events, apply for the Council licences, supply risk assessments and event management plans.....Then Mother Nature says NO and throws us 50 mph winds and side ways torrential rain! Thank you!
Despite the challenges created, issues to be overcome the Westward Ho! Christmas lights still went on in style...Not quite as planned, but on all the same.
The 2018 Westward Ho! Christmas Lights switch on was opened by The Mayor of Northam, Cllr Ken Davis and Westward Ho!'s Torridge Councillor Cllr Nick Laws. We couldn't have got two better gentleman to open the proceedings, with the help from Sophie Chappell, our winner of Westward Ho!'s Got Talent the lights eventually went on...No where near to plan! We had timing issues, catering vehicles loosing power crisis, heavy weather and poor Sophie forgetting her words....The good thing is the show went on and no one really noticed the hiccups to proceedings!
We would like to massively thank Sophie for being there, for one so young the stage is a daunting place, she did amazingly.
We had three food vans outside. Thank you to Devon Caters, Petite Street Food and Bumble Bee crepes for turning up even when it seemed like the world was falling from the sky! You kept us well and truly fed and watered. Thank you.
Merlin and Peter worked hard to keep it all together, filling in a lot and making it work. Merlin did a show for everyone, some people had seen it before but it never gets boring, he has a very special spark, interacts wonderfully with people and had young and old engrossed in his act. A true professional.
We had Princess Kate there too, she was a massive hit and the kids plus Dads loved her! None of us had heard Kate sing before, when she did sing some songs from Frozen, we were all blown away...What a voice. Another memory maker.
Cherry Circus did a set for us at the end of the night. Peter and Char again have got better...Every time they perform in the village they have moved up another notch..Well done, amazing and ideal way to end the night with the audience longing for more.
The savior of Christmas was Alan Smith...He kindly let us use the front of the beach bar, without this, we would of had to cancel the whole event. The conditions were deemed too dangerous to continue with the switch on outside. Thank you Alan.
More thanks go to our wonderful performers...We all do have a lot of fun, even when things deviate from plan! Merlin and Kate well done for saving the night by filling in so wonderfully, Peter for being here, there and everywhere sorting every issue out so it didn't ever become one, while trying to compare the event too! Peter and Char as your set was beautiful, Sophie Chappell for finding the courage to get onto the stage, Ken the Major Of Northam and Nick our Councillor. We created a great community event, people loved it even though the weather was horrendous, thank you to everyone in Westward Ho! who came out, for making this just work.
These events are brilliant, a lot of fun is had and they are getting bigger all the time. One of the biggest thanks has to go to Alex Hall, head of the Westward Ho! Business Association media team. Your photos are stunning, you captured the mood of the night explicitly and showed the fun that was had. Thank you Alex.
Please feel free to share any content from this site if used to publicize Westward Ho! or any of the events we put on. Westward Ho! used to be described as the "Hidden Jewel", we think it's about time to #visitwestwardho
