History of the Towton Lights

The Christmas Illuminations at Towton are the result of a conversation held in the “Rockingham Arms” between Don Copley a local resident and Stuart Firn a local farmer who was born here.

Don promised Stuart that “he would make Christmas special”. He purchased three Christmas trees and provided the illuminations for them. The Towton lights were born!

Through contacts in the electrical business Don was able to obtain several illumination fittings for the village, these were added to the 1993 Christmas display. The Towton Illuminations Committee was formed and over the next few years more fittings were added, purchased with the help of sponsorship and donations from the local residents.

The Illuminations at Towton had now become an annual event with visitors coming from miles around to see the Christmas lights. Following increasing levels of interest, it was decided in 1997 that a special event would be held in the Rockingham Arms car park for the “switch on” of the lights. Catering and outside bar facilities were provided and Father Christmas called to give presents to the children. Media coverage contributed to a crowd of over 500 people attending the event which caused major traffic and organisational problems. After that experience, it was decided that for future years the event would be restricted to local residents and that a party would be held in the Rockingham Arms for the village children. Father Christmas was to be asked to hand out presents.

The displays continued to improve. It had always been the committee’s objective to improve and expand the illuminations on a year-by-year basis and in the year 2000, instead of buying new fittings, we decided to manufacture our own. Stars, a 3D star and the now famous “Swinging Bells” were added to the display. The following year a large flashing Star and a full sized Snowman were added. Small Christmas trees were also fitted to some houses. There were now enough fittings for every lamp post on the High Street and for some side displays too.

By 2005 a lot of the fittings were beginning to look rather tired so a decision was made to start a five year program of refurbishment. Some items had to be stripped down and rebuilt whilst others only required new garland. A large number of lamp holders were also replaced. Icicle lights were used for the first time; these were fitted to some houses on the High Street.

2006 saw the refurbishment of eight of the smaller fittings and a Father Christmas. Sadly one of the Holly fittings had to be scrapped so a new Blue Star was created. Rope Light was used to great effect on certain lamppost fittings and in some garden lighting. The garden lighting was incorporated into the display at the Tadcaster end of the village. The display was the best yet. Father Christmas called to help with the “switch on” of the Towton Lights and to give out presents at the children’s party.

Work on the 2007 display started in July. Refurbishment of three Santa's, two Christmas Trees,

a Snowflake and the 3D Star was carried out.

A road traffic accident in January 2008 caused major damage to our snowman. Unfortunately it could not be repaired so a replacement fitting, a 3D santa,had to be made in time for our 2008 christmas display. The three ships, a christmas tree, the pudding and the angel were refurbished this year.

During the winters of 2009 and 2010 we suffered problems with cold,snowy weather. Putting  the  2010 display up was particularly difficult in temperatures of minus16 to minus 6 decrees.

The childrens party could not be held this year because of the temporary closure of the Rockingham Arms where it is held.

2011 saw the return of the children's party at the Rockingham Arms which was held on Sunday the 4th of December, prior to the switching on of the lights.

The Swinging Bells