30/11/2025
So much gratitude to be shared. It wouldn't be fair to not give a mention to everyone who made the event as amazing as it was!
All of the people mentioned in this post are responsible for the success of the event, and they all truly deserve the utmost praise and recognition.
❤️ Our event team and the committee, who have either been up and down ladders hanging lights, marshalling, setting up on the day, helping to pack down, putting up the lights tunnel, creating new lanterns (which looked phenomenal - and have been very highly praised), and just being as amazing as you all are:
Siobhan Matthews - Simon Mallett - David Silk - Andrew Price - Chris Bell - Peter Annereau - Clive Horner - Neil Williams - Jane Williams - Pete Lefevre - Sue Lefevre - Vicky Meller - Tom Meller - Jacob Blair - Christine Gower - Andy Laslett - Katie Whittall - Lotty Whittall - Bob Martin - Leon Kaczykowski - Christine Silk - Terry Scales - Paul Norris - Harry Sampson - David Batchelor - Colin Wiles - Mark Moorhouse - Pam Price - Zoe Croucher, and Lila - Dean Marie - Sharon Mundie - Phil Chapman - Sue Chapman - Ruth Rollason - Judy Rawlings - Lenny Rands.
🎊 Our Event Partner - Martha Trust
Kerry Banks and her entire team (Ron Goldswain - Carol Baalham - Gitte Johanssen - Jo Rogers - Sarah Richards - Neil - Sharline Primrose - Susan Phillips - and Superior Healthcare's Team) were fantastic; they remained positive the entire time, despite the downpour we had, and made the day a breeze - a real asset to our community.
⭐️ Our Sponsors - all our sponsors have helped enormously; their generosity meant we could run this year's event!
• T.R & C. Carpenter • Sandwich Technology School • Sandwich Honfleur Twinning Association • Sandwich Town Council • Pearls & Daughters • Smye Rumsby • Smiths Family Funfair • Stilwell & Singleton Solicitors • and we also received a grant from Funded by UK Government.
🩺 East Kent Network - St John Ambulance - their team truly embraced the festive spirit whilst providing first aid cover for our event, thank you Graham and Phil!
🚮 Veolia - Kev and his team were nothing short of brilliant! Not only did they keep the town spotless, but the video within this post shows them hard at work removing the swimming pool by the funfair after the rain fell, ready for when you all showed up to enjoy the event! Amazing work!
🏮Parade Participants! – Thank you to all the public who stepped in to help carry lanterns and floats that had been made. We're also incredibly grateful for the return of our local businesses and groups who came to join in the fun!
Kent Fire and Rescue - Kensei Taiko Drummers (chauffeured by Simon Mallett) - The Mayor - The Giant - Northbourne Park School - Sandwich Juniors - Sandwich Cubs - Heather's Dance - Sandwich Rainbows - Newfoundland Dogs - Locks of Sandwich Cycles - Woody and his tractor!
🎵 The musicians who braved the weather and continued to play throughout the whole day - they also give their time and talent at no cost in support of Martha Trust. • Muzz & Joe Duo • Gypskazz • Pool Club • Bettesteiner Footstompers • Situationist!
🏛️ Our Local Authorities - especially, Julian from Sandwich town council, offering the use of the council's amenities and preparing everything for us to use on the day - and Kelly Green from Dover District Council for your continued support throughout the entire year and assisting with my enquiries and ambitions!
🛎️ Paul Harris - our local hero, who hit the button to turn on the lights - loving the moment so much, we let him do it three times! (Sorry about that 😄)
Now, our last thank you is due to all of you, our guests! At 14:00pm yesterday, it was incredibly nerve-wracking. We must have checked the weather app over 100 times, but were determined to see it out, whatever the weather! The fact that so many turned up made it all worth it - and it has been remarked that this was one of the largest attendances for Sandwich Christmas Lights yet!
A huge thank you to everyone, and we look forward to doing it all again next year!
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
Jack Sheppard
Chairman of Sandwich Community Christmas Lights
