"When are the xmas lights going up?"

[big tony]

i only ask as i notice tesco have their tree up already, oh and tho i missed a lot of wot was said about last year, i heard enough to wonder what this year might be like ?

[bubbly jock]

Was just wondering that myshelf B.T. I love the atmosphere and the brightly coloured lights and legs.

I think they are having interviews this week. Sense of humour mandatory or so I hear.

bubbly

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Bubbly for light turner-onner this year! Green tights optional.

[Willie D]

They're going up at the moment - they'll be switched on as usual on the last Thu of Nov
- which this year is the 30th - St Andrews!

Try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZWnfeRNhA

to a really spectacular display from the States - this is not a computer effects

generated video but the real thing 'tho the film doesn't do it justice - believe me

this would have taken hours & hours to program - hats off to the guy!

Plus here's a modest wee display from Kinloch Road last year:

[SmithD]

Seen a house with theirs up already!

[bubbly jock]

Don't think green will be in fashion this year B.e.T

By the look of oor Wullie's wee railings he is trying to beat oor mary in Lady Mary Row. He's no chance but his display is getting better each year. Used to be tacky but I think Mary's had a word in his ear and Smith D, I saw a xmas tree up tonight on my way home. High Street, is that the same one?

It'll be up that long that by the time xmas comes they'll have forgotton what the hell it's doing there.

bubbly

[witchnettle]

sorry to sound like an old meany, but i do worry about all the electricity used in all these xmas displays, not just in town but the ones outside folks homes, these can use huge amounts.
In this day and age maybe we should be thinking beyond the seasonal reasons and more long-term, after all we don't need bright lights shining everywhere we go to get in the xmas mood, most people since the oldest of times have celebrated at this cold dark time, mostly the yule meal was a "last supper" for some folk as they didn't expect to survive the winter.
I can see a case for living today and let tomorrow take care of itself. But one day our grandchildren may not have the same choices we have because of our selfish attitudes.
NOW i do not want to start a big argument here, just making a wee point.

[witchnettle]

ps anyone who knows me knows that i love sparkle and twinkly lights more than anyone,
BUT
sometimes we must sacrifice the things we love for the greater good
and the true nature of sacrfice is to give up something we want to keep. x

[Sweltered]

Be very careful, folks in these part don't take very kindly if you criticise the lights.... shhhhhhhhh

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Witchnettle, since the 22nd is the longest night of the year and the 25th is on the way to the days growing longer, maybe instead they were celebrating life

[petewick]

Witchnettle, since the 22nd is the longest night of the year and the 25th is on the way to the days growing longer, maybe instead they were celebrating life

So wi' the days' gettin' lomger ye' don't need as many lights on, eh?


petewick

[SmithD]

Don't think green will be in fashion this year B.e.T

By the look of oor Wullie's wee railings he is trying to beat oor mary in Lady Mary Row. He's no chance but his display is getting better each year. Used to be tacky but I think Mary's had a word in his ear and Smith D, I saw a xmas tree up tonight on my way home. High Street, is that the same one?

It'll be up that long that by the time xmas comes they'll have forgotton what the hell it's doing there.

bubbly

No I seen in Meadows Avenue! Have to say Mary has a great show, but then you have to take a trip to Peninver. Think it must be a competition out there between the neighbours!

Maybe a 007 wannabe for this years lights??!!

[Willie D]

*Most of the lighting today is low voltage & uses less energy.

*If this is my last Christmas I'm damn well gonna make it the biggest brightest sparkliest shiniest - ad infinitum - I've ever had.

*As for the children's future - the look on my wee nephew's face & the faces of all the children whose parents take them to look at the lights - plus being stopped and thanked in the street by those same folk - well there's your answer.

*This might sound corny and contrived - and I'm making NO apologies - but I'm not going to take away the 'magic' from the children. One of my most vivid childhood memories was being taken to Glasgow to see the lights.

*Yes I hear what's being said but also - I can still hear 'the bell'!

[bubbly jock]

*As for the children's future - the look on my wee nephew's face & the faces of all the children whose parents take them to look at the lights - plus being stopped and thanked in the street by those same folk - well there's your answer.

Is it really all about us and our enjoyment? Lots of consequences as a result of light pollution.

Destroys the view of the night sky. Some of us prefer natures show.
Harms people's quality of life. For example, it can rob us of sleep when it shines into our homes.
and more seriously, it wastes energy - thereby adding to air pollution and emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases.

Maybe your wee nephew won't be able to return the favour to his wee nephew in the future .

I don't see the harm for a short while at xmas but typical of most human rituals it ends up in abuse.

Is there really any need for illuminations in November??

bubbly

[Pete Reek]

You might have a point Bubbly, but I heard earlier this week that they are planning to have the Christmas lights switched on during the Music Festival Saturday. This way there will be no need for Greensleeves or some other "celebrity" doing the brass monkey bit.

Your point about light pollution is a valid one. Away from all the street lighting etc it's great to see the sky on a clear night.

Before I get pelters about street lights I am not saying we don't need them.