Newark's November Christmas lights' switch-on event cancelled by Newark Town Council because of coronavirus

The traditional start to Christmas in Newark has been cancelled because of coronavirus.

It has been decided the November Christmas lights’ switch-on event, which traditionally attracts thousands of people from across Newark and Sherwood and beyond into the town’s market place, cannot go ahead on safety grounds.

The decision was taken by Newark Town Council.

It was decided the lights will still be turned on, but with none of the usual fanfare of live bands, choirs and the fireworks at dusk that usually accompany the event.

Committee chairman Dennis Jones said these were unprecedented times and the event was too difficult to organise as there was no way of controlling the number of people who could attend, the crowd once inside the market place or the maintaining of social distancing.

Committee member Rita Crowe said it was absolutely the right decision to make.

Fellow member Esther Cropper asked if there was anything that could be screened online so people could watch from home.

Alan Mellor, clerk to the town council, said filming the switch-on and posting the video to YouTube or Facebook retrospectively was an option.

Jane Olson said it would be nice if the schools could be asked to send in videos of their choirs as part of an online event.

Newark Parish Church’s annual Christmas Tree Festival, which invites community groups, charities and businesses to decorate a tree, has also been cancelled.

Lisa Geary said: “People could decorate their trees at home and submit a video.”

The festive markets in the run-up to Christmas are still currently planned to happen and it was hoped the charities that were usually represented at the switch-on event could be a part of them instead.

It was said the district council was likely to grant free parking on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas.