THE CHRISTMAS light switch-on will unite Warwick district in festive spirit this year, as residents join in the tradition from their homes.
Residents have been invited to light up their homes in tandem with town centres this Christmas in the first ever district-wide virtual switch-on event.
With precautions over large gatherings still in place, and with the potential for further restrictions in the winter months, Warwick District Council (WDC) has agreed with tow centres to cancel this year’s light switch-on events in Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash.
The measures required to ensure events would be covid safe with social distancing in place could not guarantee the atmosphere that the switch-ons usually create.
WDC assures the town centres will still be resplendent with festive lights and displays, and organisation is underway for the Big Community Light Switch On in November.
The virtual event will allow residents to stream the town centre switch on via social media, while lighting up their own homes and taking part in various competitions and stay-at-home party games.
Warwick District Council leader Andrew Day said: “We know that this news will be disappointing for many as these events are steeped in tradition for our town centres, but the safety of our residents is paramount, and as we approach the winter season we simply cannot let our guard down when it comes to covid.
“But that’s not to say that we can’t celebrate the magic of Christmas and support our businesses throughout this busy season. The lights will be up and the shops will be open, so though we can’t come together to celebrate, there will be ample opportunity for us to visit the shops we know and love this Christmas.
“We saw very quickly at the start of the pandemic how the community came together to support each other, and we hope to see that reflected with the Big Community Light Switch On, where neighbours can virtually get their heads together and plan a festive switch-on to light up their streets.”
