Southport - the Classic Resort on England's North West Coast

2009

District

105BN

IT Award

●

Where to go from here

Christmas Lights Switch-On

15th November 2009

 

Humans are, of course, largely waterproof. If we go out in the pouring rain we don’t dissolve, or turn rusty; we may have a bad reaction, but it usually isn’t chemical. The members and supporters of Southport Lions, that happy band who were on the roster for the Christmas Lights Switch On 2009, must have been wondering, though, in the few days before the event, whether these assurances were really  true, as all the signs were indicating that, at best, we would get a rather mixed day, and, at worst, the same kind of torrential downpours which had seemed to be standard issue in the days leading up to the event.

 

But, joy of joys, Switch On Day was pretty well as good as could have been ordered by even the most optimistic organiser!

This meteorological beneficence obviously went a long way to explaining the smiles to be seen everywhere, on The Day, not just Lions, or Volunteers, but even the Persons In The Street.

As always, our Mobile Command Centre, known affectionately as the Chuck Wagon, was pressed into service, stocked with our usual selection of Christmas Goodies, and a few collecting buckets for good measure, and brought from its parking place to the front of the Town Hall. This year, rather than polluting the atmosphere with our generator, we offer a round of applause to the Town Hall Gardens Cafe who donated plugging rights to a 13A socket in their kitchen!

No sooner were we set up and plugged in than the retail activity began, with a selection of illuminated flashing toys for sale. Now, it may be something you have never really thought about, why would you? But selling illuminated flashing toys in bright sunshine is not the easiest thing in the world. So, guess what? There were actually complaints overheard that the afternoon was too sunny, too bright. There’s no pleasing some people.

And so we continued, not realising until it was too late, just how dangerous this retailing business can be. Next year we will be bringing the Ferocious Lion back to keep these youngsters under a bit of control!

Fortunately we were there legally, so we didn’t have a problem with the enforcers!

But in due course dusk came, and the crowds came, and the illuminated flashing toys went, in considerable quantity. And soon enough it was all over, the Parade had passed and, like phantoms, the thousands of spectators had returned to the realms from which they had come - the only difference being that many of them were assisted on their way by illuminated flashing toys.

So, thank you to everyone who took part: the organisers, the hundreds of people who dressed up and took part in the parade, the thousands lining the street, and of course, not least, everyone who contributed to our Charity funds by donating or by buying a toy. You did good! And, hopefully, we will see you all again next year!