Julian Else of Else Family Butchers was the driving force behind the event back in 2003 when what is now ‘Stalbright’ was called The Stalbridge Christmas Lights Group.
Mulled wine and mince pies were always served by The Blackmore Vale Lions from a marquee on the Ring, carols were always sung and our very special reverend, William Ridding was always there to lead proceedings, sometimes with his guitar, sometimes with a school choir, but always with his cheery disposition and sense of occasion.
The lighting ceremony used to take place on the first Monday in December at the start of a week which culminated in ‘Friday Late Night Shopping’, where shops in the town kept their doors open for a festive drink and party food as a thank you to their customers for their patronage throughout the year. The top of Station Road was the site of the Christmas Fair, where voluntary groups ran stalls and The Stalbridge Scouts served up a welcome barbecue.
Father Christmas always appeared on a sleigh he had borrowed from The Blackmore Vale Lions and there was always Christmas music playing, either by a Stalbridge Choir, or the Christmas Bell Ringers, playing on the corner outside Meaders Store.
More details of this year’s events are being posted by Stalbright, with times and details on how to join in, so look out for those…