Calne Town Council is urgently calling for volunteers to help at this Saturday’s Christmas Festival of Lights, with several key marshal roles still needing to be filled.
Organisers say the event relies heavily on local support, and are asking residents to step forward if they can spare even a short amount of time on the day. Marshals help keep the festival safe, guide visitors, support the lantern parade and ensure the afternoon runs smoothly. Without enough volunteers, some parts of the event may be harder to deliver.
The Festival of Lights runs from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday 29th November and remains one of Calne’s most popular community celebrations. This year it will feature an appearance from former Southampton and England midfielder Matt Le Tissier, who will help turn on the town’s Christmas lights alongside competition winners Cecelia and Talilah. The switch-on is expected to take place at around 5.20pm when the lantern parade returns to the town centre.
Before heading to the main stage, Matt will be at Costa Coffee in Calne from around 1.30pm or 2pm until 4.45pm, signing promotional items in aid of the Costa Foundation, which works to improve access to education in coffee-growing communities. The visit has been arranged by Adam, the new manager at Costa, who has known Matt for many years through previous charity events. Matt will also be supporting local business owner Odette by acting as a collection point for toys being gathered for children in the Calne area this Christmas.
The festival will include stalls, performances, children’s activities and the traditional fireworks to close the event. Councillors are hopeful that more volunteers coming forward in the next few days will help secure another successful and safe celebration for the whole town.
Anyone able to volunteer is asked to contact Calne Town Council at
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