Teddington Lights Up 2011 – highlights
Feedback from attendees of this year’s lights-up evening has been resoundingly positive – there was a huge turnout on the night and the town was really buzzing from the community spirit on the streets of Teddington.
Last year saw road problems with a bus and a car break down by the main roundabout, this year didn’t start well either after traffic was diverted after a bad accident that closed Kingston Road and required the driver to be cut from their car.
The festivities in Teddington were however mostly unaffected and the unseasonably warm weather helped pack out the streets and Elmfield Gardens for the switch on.
Eastenders star Kellie Shirley took to the mic and after some words was joined by Mayor Clare Head in leading the countdown. The lights came on along the whole length of the high street some time after due to a technical hitch (all despite last-minute fixes due to earlier vandalism).
The Mayor and Kellie with the chosen children’s Lights-Up poster designs
An amusing Santa entertained the crowds in the RNLI lifeboat outside of the Kings Head whilst at the other end of the high street Santa’s grotto at Play Inside Out there were huge queues waiting to give present ideas as early as 4pm!
On Church Road Diner’s Delight soon sold out of their supply of Mezes and soup and the spit roast pig at Nearest Cafe was all gone in 90 minutes! Thankfully it wasn’t so cold that the nearby indoor Christmas Fayre was needed to warm up, but it was none-the-less crammed with shoppers checking out the 30 stalls inside.
Music sounded from many venues – the school band outside of Boots, live music at Vidatherapy and Boho Boutique
Lights sparkle after the switch-on. Photo: Brian Holder, Teddington Society
As well as celebrating the lights switch on it was also an evening of celebration for Teds (21 years) and Bottega (1st anniversary).
Comments via Twitter after the event summed up the whole vibe of the evening:
Kindle Stoves: Thank you so much Teddington for your wonderful community spirit and making #Teddington Lights Up such a success! Have a good weekend!
Astrora Coffee: Hope everyone had a lovely evening in #Teddington yesterday. Thank you all who came to say hi. Seems we’ve found some new coffee converts
Milestone Commercial: Huge turn out in Teddington, well done to all involved. Please support your local shops and businesses this Xmas. Use them or lose them!
Miss_Manful: Walked through teddington today as the christmas lights were being put on and the sense of community there is just amazing
Sandi Wood: had such a lovely time at Teddington light’s up. Amazing sense of community, so glad we moved here.
MrTomBaker: Love how #Teddington makes a big deal about turning on it’s Christmas Lights. Makes me feel festive every year.
See also some video highlights from BestOfRichmond.
The band playing outside Boots were the Teddington School Jazz Band, lead by music teacher Rodger.