Latest news with #SwitchOnEvent
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Olly Murs to switch on Blackpool Illuminations
Singer Olly Murs is to switch on this year's Blackpool 41, said he was "buzzing" to be the headline performer for the Illuminations Switch-On event on the evening of Friday 29 will also be joined by X-Factor winner Louisa Johnson for the free show where people enter a ballot for the 24,000 tickets for the event on the promenade near Blackpool will follow in the footsteps of a Canberra Bomber, the Grand National-winning racehorse Red Rum, and muppet Kermit The Frog. "I haven't performed there since 2011, so it's about time. It'll be an incredible night," Murs leader Lynne Williams added: "The Switch-On event is one of the highlights of Blackpool's calendar, it's an event of celebration for our residents and brings together our local community and visitors from far and wide." Last year's Illuminations were switched by Spice Girl Mel Illuminations started in 1879 with eight carbon arc lamps, but grew into six miles (9.5km) of immersive light and art displays, "blending tradition and modern technology".Switch-on ceremonies date back to 1934, when the 17th Earl of Derby did the honours. Among people who have switched them on are the US and Soviet ambassadors jointly in the 1950s, gothic horror director Tim Burton in 2015, and "Coronavirus heroes" from the NHS in 2020. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Why are Ramsey Christmas lights remain still up in April
A market town has still been displaying some of its Christmas lights nearly four months after the festive period wrapped of unlit fairy lights and Christmas tree decorations are hanging from buildings and lampposts in the main street in Ramsey, local Christmas Lights Committee said the delay was purely down to a lack of volunteers and that the lights would come down residents said they had grown used to the lights and "don't think they are causing any harm". Rebekah Conthwaite, 39, works in a coffee shop in the Great Whyte - the main street through the town, where the lights are still visible."It is very festive, I like it, it is a little quirk for our town", she said."It is all run by volunteers, so it is just finding the time for them to take them down and getting the right equipment in really."Ms Conthwaite also said that it was a talking point in the coffee shop and she thought that the lights committee had a bigger team in previous years. David Garton, 80, lives in nearby Warboys and said he doesn't know why the lights are still up."You get used to it, it doesn't bother me, the lights are supposed to come down in January, but these ones are still here", he said."I'm afraid I'm not so good up a ladder now, so I can't offer to help get them down, but it could save them a job if they leave them up till next Christmas." Ramsey Town Council said that the town has a committee of local people who worked hard all year to achieve a brightly decorated town centre and a very popular 'Switch On Event' for the festive season."The erection and dismantlement of the lights and tree is undertaken by a small number of volunteers, many of whom are not members of the team but willing residents, who are keen to help", it said."It is not always easy to bring a group together, who can have other commitments, but it is hoped that the lights will be removed this weekend."It added: "Volunteers are always vital and are welcomed for their support." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
