3 minute read
Christmas lights switch-on
The start of the festive season got underway in South Molton, as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on by the wife and daughter of the late Gordon Sparks.
The BBC Radio Devon presenter was a regular visitor to the town, and last performed the lights switch-on himself in 2018. He passed away in October aged 61 after battling cancer.
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South Molton Mayor, Councillor Stephen Lock said, “We loved having Gordon in South Molton with his radio broadcasts promoting the town, and switching our lights on. Tonight is a great tribute to a great man.”
Hundreds gathered in The Square on November 18th to watch the festive ceremony performed by Gordon’s wife
The town’s tree in memory of the late Andrew Slee
Heather and his daughter Holly. Heather told the crowd they were honoured to be there, “Gordon loved South Molton and always enjoyed turning the lights on, he would haved loved to have seen you all tonight. Thank you for coming out and supporting us, it has been great to be here.”
Collections were being made on the night for North Devon Hospice.
Continued opposite and on page 24
Left to right with Father Christmas; Christine Lock, Heather Sparks, Holly Sparks and Mayor Stephen Lock Photos above and opposite by Peter Robinson
South Molton, all lit up for Christmas Photo and front cover picture by Karolina Andreasova
Winter Wonderland is the next big event on the Christmas Calendar, from 6pm on Friday, December 2nd (advert page 12). Organised by South Molton Business Association it will feature Christmas stalls and gifts, food and drink, family entertainment, live music and fairground rides.
Many shops will stay open for the evening, and the town centre will be traffic free. Mole Valley Farmers have organised a Polar Express which will take people to and from their Pathfields store and Santa’s Grotto to the centre of South Molton. Other events over the first weekend of December include the Christmas Tree Festival in St. Mary Magdelene Church, and the traditional Christmas Fatstock Show in the Pannier Market on Sunday, December 4th.
Current photos by Martin Pailthorpe Archive pictures courtesy of British Pathé
