I attended the Shrewsbury switch on and was severely disappointed by the lack of related amenities.
There was no food or mulled wine, which would have been nice, just a plethora of tacky plastic lights – great for the kids, not so much fun for the adults, as evidenced by the number remaining on the carts.
Wem switch on sounds much better, SCC would do well to take notes for next year.
And Severn radio to do the switch on? purrr-lease…
I also attended the switch on of the lights but had a much better experience than Chris. I did not expect there to be food or mulled wine available given the proliferation of restaurants, cafes and coffee bars in proximity to the Square (i am sure the proprietors will have been grateful of the trade in the current climate). It was a nice surprise to receive free mince pies and i found the show by the Severn was very entertaining and created a great atmosphere for all of the family. I hope the Severn return next year as i will be certain to attend again.
I, too was in the square last night to watch the annual switch on, and while to be fair the lights have seen better days there was a great atmosphere. The presenters from Severn radio and members of the cast of this years pantomine did a really good job, providing us with entertainment and mince pies. Perhaps Chris should stay at home and watch a programme closer to his heart ie grumpy old men!!
so chris happy now.. this comments broad is become a moaner email. after reading the news in the last few weeks i am slowly seeing a list of moaners. from this and the bonfire night comments.
I really think some people what to get out more.
hope all in town had a great night…
When I last looked at the Calendar, Christmas was on 25th December.
Whilst there may be very good economic reasons for putting lights up to attract customes, isn’t the whole idea of Christmas being cheapened by erecting christmas decorations so early ?
The idea of Christmas isnt being cheapend by putting the lights up now. Its expanding the joy that Christmas brings. I love Christmas, the longer it lasts the better… anyway, I thought you hated going into Shrewsbury Askeric ??
You obviously read some of my earlier posts, but have misuderstood what I’ve said.
Waht I have said is: I don’t like promoting business in Shrewsbury, becuase of its inaccessibilty, and difficulty in parking for the commercial visitor/tradesperson.
NOW .. isn’t it interesting that another news article has just appeared on the S/star Website about the number of traffic wardens being reduced, and those that are left are beig instructed to be “more lenient”!! … Now, I wonder why that is?
I did NOT say at anytime that I hated Shrewsbury.
And – The “idea of christmas” as you put it ,
I think many will agree, has been lost to outright commercialism.
More and more people are putting out decorations, lights etc earlier and earlier, and it seems to me that the real meaning, and “joy” of Christmas has long been forgotten – and if there is any “expansion” of it as you say – I would suggest that is more do with poeple enjoying a bit of extra social activity, and shopping, than the central “point” of christmas itself.
However…The sad fact is that at the present time of economic difficulty, it maybe is important to drive as much trade as possible to help retail busineses to survive – but that really is another story.
I’m with askeric on this one, its November! I heard Christmas songs in a garden centre in October, so that was it, brough 100 litres of UHT milk and other non-perishable foods so I dont have to go out shopping until the new year!
There is sooooo much more happening in Shrewsbury now, so i think we should embrace the changes and attend as many events as we can… the children love it and there is nothing that supports an enhanced event schedule in the future more than public support. pls attend as many as you can…as always, it’s what you make it!
Just been to Aldi, no Christmas music, no Christmas decoration up in the store, no Christmas catalogue – lovely. So nice infact that I made a impulse buy of a 5 piece maths set, ruler, set squares, protractor etc for £1.29.
Painting shows panorama of town in 1630s 
Region’s dogs collar top awards at Crufts 
Great turnout for soldiers’ parade 
Decision due over town development 
County soldiers fighting fit 
13 Comments
I attended the Shrewsbury switch on and was severely disappointed by the lack of related amenities.
There was no food or mulled wine, which would have been nice, just a plethora of tacky plastic lights – great for the kids, not so much fun for the adults, as evidenced by the number remaining on the carts.
Wem switch on sounds much better, SCC would do well to take notes for next year.
And Severn radio to do the switch on? purrr-lease…
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I also attended the switch on of the lights but had a much better experience than Chris. I did not expect there to be food or mulled wine available given the proliferation of restaurants, cafes and coffee bars in proximity to the Square (i am sure the proprietors will have been grateful of the trade in the current climate). It was a nice surprise to receive free mince pies and i found the show by the Severn was very entertaining and created a great atmosphere for all of the family. I hope the Severn return next year as i will be certain to attend again.
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Chris is obviously one of those people who has nothing better to do than moan?
Myself and my family attended the event last night and thought it was wonderful and the children left smiling because that’s really who it’s for.
I think the lights look wonderful this year – Do us a favour and stay in Wem next year Chris!
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I, too was in the square last night to watch the annual switch on, and while to be fair the lights have seen better days there was a great atmosphere. The presenters from Severn radio and members of the cast of this years pantomine did a really good job, providing us with entertainment and mince pies. Perhaps Chris should stay at home and watch a programme closer to his heart ie grumpy old men!!
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My family had a great night last nice and yes we had mince pies too.
Well done to everyone involved, after the light switch on I went straight to buy panto tickets I thought they where that good on stage.
Chris, if you want mulled wine try Carols in the Square on the last shopping evening in December.
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so chris happy now.. this comments broad is become a moaner email. after reading the news in the last few weeks i am slowly seeing a list of moaners. from this and the bonfire night comments.
I really think some people what to get out more.
hope all in town had a great night…
Report abuse
Just one VERY minor observation …
It’s only the 19th of November ! (Wed’s Night).
When I last looked at the Calendar, Christmas was on 25th December.
Whilst there may be very good economic reasons for putting lights up to attract customes, isn’t the whole idea of Christmas being cheapened by erecting christmas decorations so early ?
Report abuse
The idea of Christmas isnt being cheapend by putting the lights up now. Its expanding the joy that Christmas brings. I love Christmas, the longer it lasts the better… anyway, I thought you hated going into Shrewsbury Askeric ??
Report abuse
confused.
You obviously read some of my earlier posts, but have misuderstood what I’ve said.
Waht I have said is: I don’t like promoting business in Shrewsbury, becuase of its inaccessibilty, and difficulty in parking for the commercial visitor/tradesperson.
NOW .. isn’t it interesting that another news article has just appeared on the S/star Website about the number of traffic wardens being reduced, and those that are left are beig instructed to be “more lenient”!! … Now, I wonder why that is?
I did NOT say at anytime that I hated Shrewsbury.
And – The “idea of christmas” as you put it ,
I think many will agree, has been lost to outright commercialism.
More and more people are putting out decorations, lights etc earlier and earlier, and it seems to me that the real meaning, and “joy” of Christmas has long been forgotten – and if there is any “expansion” of it as you say – I would suggest that is more do with poeple enjoying a bit of extra social activity, and shopping, than the central “point” of christmas itself.
However…The sad fact is that at the present time of economic difficulty, it maybe is important to drive as much trade as possible to help retail busineses to survive – but that really is another story.
Report abuse
I’m with askeric on this one, its November! I heard Christmas songs in a garden centre in October, so that was it, brough 100 litres of UHT milk and other non-perishable foods so I dont have to go out shopping until the new year!
Report abuse
There is sooooo much more happening in Shrewsbury now, so i think we should embrace the changes and attend as many events as we can… the children love it and there is nothing that supports an enhanced event schedule in the future more than public support. pls attend as many as you can…as always, it’s what you make it!
Report abuse
picture those seasonal lights, red, red and amber, green, amber and back to red, with tongue in cheek, sorry
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Just been to Aldi, no Christmas music, no Christmas decoration up in the store, no Christmas catalogue – lovely. So nice infact that I made a impulse buy of a 5 piece maths set, ruler, set squares, protractor etc for £1.29.
Report abuse