Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 28 November 2020

THE VILLAGE of Barwell seen their Christmas lights and Christmas tree lights installed and switched on around the village centre last night (27 November) to get residents into the festive season.

The lights were switched-on without an official light switch-on event, following concerns from bosses at Barwell Parish Council in August when they agreed not to do so for the safety of the public following concerns surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Barwell Councillor and Campaigner Mathew Hulbert snapped the following photographs of the lights as he was passing through the village centre.

Mr. Hulbert also serves as Chair on Barwell Parish Council’s Events Committee, who are responsible for the village’s Christmas lights and Christmas Tree.

In a statement to The Hinckley Free Press, he said: “It’s so good to see our village’s Christmas tree in place and the lights on.

“This has been such a tough year for our village, along with the rest of the country, and we hope that the lights and tree will provide at least some festive cheer as we head into what will be, to say the least, an unconventional Christmas.

“Of course we’re saddened that, due to the restrictions, we’re not able to have a lights switch on event this year and we thank residents for their understanding in regards to this.

“But we can at least enjoy seeing the tree up and the lights on in the late afternoons and evenings throughout the festive period.

“I’d like to wish everyone in the village a safe and happy Christmas.”