THE show must go on according to Chard Town Council who did not even let Storm Bert stop them from getting festive this year, instead deciding to scale back the Christmas switch-on event.

Following Somerset’s battering from Storm Bert this weekend, the majority of switch-on events across Somerset were pushed back or in some cases completely cancelled – for example, Taunton’s Winterfest.

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Chard Town Council did not back down however, instead they put their heads together and decided they would just move the event indoors and scale it back.

The Christmas market was instead moved inside the Guildhall, and the lights were still switched on in the evening as planned but less performances in the build-up and following the switch on – as there was no time to rearrange road closures and marshalling etc.

The team worked throughout Saturday to ensure that the lights could all be switched on and battled through the weather.

Cllr Jason Baker said that the Christmas market which took place throughout the day and evening was very well supported, Father Christmas was in his grotto throughout the evening and saw around 200 children which was truly magical.

Father Christmas then took to his sleigh just after 7pm and was accompanied by Chard Carnival royalty and the Mayor of Chard Cllr Victoria Bates, they processed down through the town and then went up to the balcony of the Guildhall ready to switch the lights on.

The lights were switched on at 7.30pm by Chard Carnival Royalty, Chard Mayor and Father Christmas.

Cllr Jason Baker said that the evening was very well supported with a couple of hundred people in the crowd, the lights were switched on as snow fell from the sky and the winds blew.

“Overall, the whole evening was a great success considering the weather and all of the hurdles we had to overcome,” Cllr Jason Baker said.

He added that a month ago all of the lights were still in storage and there was some doubt as to if a display would even happen this year.

Despite a rocky road and all the uncertainty, Jason Baker & Garry Shortland kindly spent two weeks in early November servicing and repairing every light and then with the help of the council’s amenities team and Kings Electrical the lights went up.

A small group of volunteers then decorated over 100 Christmas trees which were put up outside the shops just days before the switch on.

“We are all pleased that it all came together in the end and it was all down to a very small group of dedicated volunteers and the support of Chard Carnival committee, that the lights and switch on event took place, we are truly grateful to them for this,” Cllr Baker said.

Chard Carnival Committee will continue spreading the Christmas cheer by taking the Christmas float around Chard throughout December, they will be collecting for many good causes and local groups within the town.

Details of dates and roads are available on the Chard Carnival website.