CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

In the July/August 1990 issue of the newsletter we advised our members that since there had been no decorative lights the previous Christmas the Association had decided to try and raise enough money to pay for their installation in December 1990. Later, in the November issue, we reported that our requests for donations from traders and residents of the town had been disappointingly poor consequently we declared there would be no lights that year. We also questioned how Eastern Electricity had arrived at the sum of £15,000 for erecting the lights. However it was with deep joy that I wrote an article in the February 1991 issue of the newsletter explaining the events which led to decorative lights being seen once again on the High Street in Billericay at Christmas time.

The following year, 1992, the Association once again organised the installation of the decorative lights at Christmas using money donated by businesses and residents who supported our Christmas Lights Appeal. Those who contributed to the lights were listed in the February issue of The Resident. Incidentally the Christmas Lights consisted of fifteen lengths of cable stretching from Sun Corner to Western Road down each side of the High Street.

In 1993 the Association decided to improve the lighting display and with the help of businesses and organisations in the town bought seven illuminated motifs which were erected on lamp standards. The control gear for the motifs was bought by the Association. Another four motifs were purchased the following year bringing the total to eleven and now the display was attracting attention. It brightened up the High Street and added to the overall ambience on Fun Night organised by the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, many people noticed and congratulated the BDRA on its achievement. As a matter of interest the total cost of installing the eleven motifs and about 1,500 metres of illuminated cable was £4456.

Over the succeeding years the display has been improved, there are now fifteen motifs and much of the illuminated cable has been replaced, thanks to Waitrose who donated a substantial sum when they first arrived in town. Although the Residents’ Association accumulated much good will through its association with the Christmas lights it came at considerable cost for only in one or two years was sufficient money raised to pay for their installation the remaining years the shortfall was provided by the BDRA.

Now after fourteen years the responsibility for providing the decorative lights is that of the Billericay Town Council who, for the first time this year 2004, will be responsible for the display.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HELP DELIVER THE NEWSLETTER A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS DURING THE YEAR.