The meeting of Rayleigh Town Council had quite a few interesting discussions tonight (some of which we will write about later).
However one thing worth mentioning is that Rayleigh’s Christmas Lights will be switched-on on Thursday 25th November between 4:15 and 6:30 pm .
As a result the High Street will be closed between 2:15 and 7:30 pm., though there will be no obstructions in the High Street to allow access for emergency vehicles.
The Town Council will be judging this weekend on the best shop display, and they have had 7000 programmes printed…. !
It’s the same old issue every year – why not hold the event at say, 7.30pm. That way those people that work ( and fund the cost…) would be able to attend. Or do it on a Saturday. Chris – who makes this decision ? Do they listen to any alternative proposals re: timing ?
The decision is taken by Rayleigh Town Council. (By the way they have a public forum at every full council meeting (which are held in the pavilion building by King Georges Field. )
Not sure if alternative timing has ever been discussed – maybe a Town Councillor could answer this one ?
The evening switch on and the choice of a Thursday. Early evening because the schools take part with choirs, also Mushroom Theatre and parents do not really want children out too late on school night. Thurs because it encourages people into the town and helps trade of local shops. On a Saturday potential visitors are in bigger shopping areas. Also Town Council would be less likely to get a road closure on a Saturday.
I think you will all be surprised to know that the arrangements for the lights event starts in January because of the rules and regulations that we at the council have to follow. I am sure that Saturday would be the obvious choice for many of us but we are NOT allowed to shut the high street on a Saturday, the schools have said that they would not get the support for the choirs (and of course we are so proud that all ten of our Rayleigh schools take part), the shops would not want to open late on a Saturday. To close the taxi rank (lagoon) is nearly impossible in any event. I could go on with a list of reasons. The fact that we have some 5000 plus people attend is clear to us that this is a popular event. I don’t think the other towns would be to happy either if we clashed with their event. So, sorry rayleigh resident for not being able to satisfy everyone but we as a town council discuss everything in full detail so perhaps come along to our meetings and you may appreciate the reasoning behind our decisions, you would be most welcome.
Dear Cheryl – many thanks for the detailed response.
So what about a Friday night, it’s not a school night! The lights can be switched on slightly later affording more people to attend. Has the council considered that if more people attend, more revenue is created for local businesses, or is that just too logical?
I can understand the issues that some of you are putting forward, but I have to say that I’ve always thought that Thursday night is a good night for the switch on. This may well be because I’m a parent (and my children are in the school choir so am probably biased!) but the early time works brilliantly for the school children, and the fact that it is a Thursday night makes it a real family event. I’d worry about a Friday night as traditionally Rayleigh is full of teens and adults drinking, and this may change the atmosphere somewhat. Either way I’ve always gone to the switch on, and think it is a magical event, thanks to all of you who put so much effort in to make it so!
Like I said earlier we are not prepared to clash with any other switch on events. Again come to our meetings and you will hear that we are not responsible for the decision of what time the road is closed we are told. The taxis will not agree to the rank being closed on a Friday, and shops prefer to open on the Thursday. We do do our homework. If we have thousands more due to convenient days then also we will have to close the whole High Street for Health and Safety reasons. This will not be approved and then sadly the event will be cancelled.
Out of curiosity, when do the crowd numbers attending the event become too high, and how do you know? Are you suggesting that if numbers get a bit high on the night they could somehow stop more people attending? Or just that a more convenient night may force a cancellation due to predicted additional numbers?
The Health and Safety comment just seems a bit odd.
Concerned, I can see where you’re coming from regarding your comments about Friday nights in the town centre, but actually I think that the presence of families and couples in the high street may actually help tone down the anti-social behaviour. It’s a pity there are not more events like this throughout the year, and more permanent venues that families feel comfortable visiting in the town centre. After the shops shut in the evening, the high street is basically surrendered to drinkers and skateboarders, while most residents are shut away in front of the telly.
We were promised continental cafe culture, but what we got was continental licensing hours, which is not the same thing.
Firstly concerned thank you for your kind comments we do try and unfortunately can’t please everybody.
Secondly ST1 the police advise us of numbers and there are also health and safety inspectors floating around that give us a report after the event. If only you knew how hard it is to get the road shut you would be amazed. In respect of other events we have tried numerous times to hold other events, perhaps if everybody complained to Hackney Carriage and the transport team at Rochford they might just give in and allow events to take place. Sadly we are in their hands. We have even offered to purchase car parking spaces to make a rank but that has been turned down. Would welcome any sensible suggestions.
I don’t buy this one, according to Ms Roe: We do do our homework. If we have thousands more due to convenient days then also we will have to close the whole High Street for Health and Safety reasons. This will not be approved and then sadly the event will be cancelled.
So – are we really scheduling the time to avoid additional people ( that go to work ) and who exactly tells you what time the road can be closed ? And what’s this about H&S, can you enlighten us as to what rule/s you are refering to. And please – no hiding behind the “attend the meetings” strap line, not everybody can attend and so rely on the council using common sense, which seems to be lacking on this occasion.
ST1 – totally agree with your comments, so where are the police to make it feel safe, no sign of the additional 2 officers on the local beat.
Ms Roe – I had not seen your reply when I posted my second response so thanks for the update, I now better understand the rational behind the decision and I apologise if my post seemed harsh. Looks like a large portion of humble pie for RR…..
May I thank Cheryl and her co councillors for a good evening which I shared with two of my grandsons .the atmosphere was good but very cold!! A great deal of work went into it ,one slight comment ,there were one or two stallholders that were of questionable honesty ,apart from that ,the charity stalls were very good .Perhaps next year only charities and local businesses should have franchises in the high street ,trade for local shops should be enhanced by this excellent evening ,we ourselves had a good meal in Ask .thanks again to Rayleigh Town Council .