Hoole Christmas Lights to celebrate their 25th anniversary

In 1999, a small number of Hoole business people met to discuss an idea from a local councillor to erect Christmas lights in Hoole. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the event!

It was in July 1999 that a small group of Hoole business people met to discuss an idea from Councillor Noel McGlinchey to erect Christmas lights in Hoole. You could say the rest is history, but behind the lights lies a good news story, one which reflects all the aspects of a local community.

Nothing actually really happened until September when nearly all the business owners and traders met and were appraised of the  financial and technical aspects of lighting up Hoole. With a target of £8,000, businesses gave generously of money and perhaps most importantly their enthusiasm and time. Fund raising events  were arranged.

The people of Hoole responded and their generosity was immense  A week before the switch on there were no electricity power  supply points; for those wondering what those small aluminium posts located in the pavements of Charles Street and Faulkner  Street are, they are the electricity points. Things were far from calm, but two days before the switch on Manweb arrived!  As the big night loomed, there was still plenty to organise.

On the night, the weather was good, the shock and amazement of nearly 900 people packed into the two streets of Hoole and was the reward to everyone who had worked so hard.

A spirit of co-operation was created during the Christmas period of that year, one that has not vanished but one that is growing stronger and has benefited everyone, and Hoole will be a better place for its efforts and its generosity.

25 years later, we will light these streets again.

We hope you will all be there to celebrate this huge anniversary, on Saturday 16th November at 6:00 pm.