Leeds Christmas lights

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Fri 11 Nov, 2011 3:02 am

Magical, impressive, eye catching, beutiful and worth every penny are some of the things i'd like to say about this years Christmas lights - I'd like to but I'd be lying.Disgraceful, uninspiring, money wasting, disappointing let down and shameful are words I actually have to use.Walk out of the railway station ( a major gateway into the city ) into City square and the most eye catching sight is the Christmas tree but even this looks like some one has got bored with trimming it up and just thrown handfuls of lights at it with no planning or thought about making it look good, this is complimented by four or five bows in white lights dotted around city square, and thats your lot for this large public space.Take a look up park row and you see the same old tired and tatty decorations we have had for at least ten years now attached to the lamp posts with nothing at all spanning the road. This, however, is far better than the disgraceful shambles that is Boar lane. Once you start along Boar lane its very difficult at first to notice any lights at all as the only attempt here is what seems to be several lamp posts selected at random to have one of the old, tired and tatty displays attached to it. There is nothing at all across this main thoroughfare and large areas that have no illuminations at all in them, this is all made worse by the fact that each lamp post has two, very bright lights on it and the light from these lamps actually drowns out the lights of the display so, at first glance, they appear to be unlit.Moving on towards Duncan St and this rather short stretch of road actually stands out because as well as the tired and tatty displays on the lamp posts they have actually managed to string some lights across the road, nothing new or inspiring, but over the road non the less. Take a quick look down lower Briggate and dont bother looking again, its a copy of the Boar lane shambles - same displays, same positioning, same let down.Now, looking up Briggate and here we have a surprise, we have what I believe to be, some brand new lights, at least I dont recall seeing them before. Briggate looks very bright and shiney with virtually every lamp post holding what appears to be - wait for it - curtains complete with tie backs, all done in bright white, baffeling but at least very bright.Now we pass the Corn exchange and head for the other major gateway into the City - the bus and coach station, another location where an impact can be made on the visitor, and what do we find here ? Nothing, not even the old, tired and tatty lights of many years gone by - absolutly nothing from the Corn exchange down towards the bus station or any of the areas surrounding it either - what a great impression indeed.Leaving the bus station and heading for Eastgate and we find the same old displays up the centre of the road complete with the same ones remaining unlit that we had last year, not a single light can be found on either side of East gate and i cant help feeling a big wide road like this could have been a real eye catching gateway if it had been done right.As I turn left into vicar lane a quick glance up the headrow reveals the same old displays on either side of the road, doing very little, if anything, to bring some cheer into this area. Looking along Vicar lane towards the corn exchange once more and its the same old, old displays yet again but at least along here they are across the road as well as on the lamp posts.Now I appreciate that this is only a small part of the city I have seen today and there could well be an astounding section somewhere I have yet to see but, in all honesty, I wont be holding my breath.For a City the size and importance of Leeds its attempts at bringing Christmas cheer with its light display is woefully disgraceful but a thought did hit me earlier - perhaps there was so much money spent on that monstrosity - erm, sorry - I mean fantastic display under the Dark arches, that they didn't want the Christmas lights out shining it - if thats the case, well done Leeds city council - result.

Post by **cnosni** » Fri 11 Nov, 2011 10:44 am

BIG N wrote: Magical, impressive, eye catching, beutiful and worth every penny are some of the things i'd like to say about this years Christmas lights - I'd like to but I'd be lying.Disgraceful, uninspiring, money wasting, disappointing let down and shameful are words I actually have to use.Walk out of the railway station ( a major gateway into the city ) into City square and the most eye catching sight is the Christmas tree but even this looks like some one has got bored with trimming it up and just thrown handfuls of lights at it with no planning or thought about making it look good, this is complimented by four or five bows in white lights dotted around city square, and thats your lot for this large public space.Take a look up park row and you see the same old tired and tatty decorations we have had for at least ten years now attached to the lamp posts with nothing at all spanning the road. This, however, is far better than the disgraceful shambles that is Boar lane. Once you start along Boar lane its very difficult at first to notice any lights at all as the only attempt here is what seems to be several lamp posts selected at random to have one of the old, tired and tatty displays attached to it. There is nothing at all across this main thoroughfare and large areas that have no illuminations at all in them, this is all made worse by the fact that each lamp post has two, very bright lights on it and the light from these lamps actually drowns out the lights of the display so, at first glance, they appear to be unlit.Moving on towards Duncan St and this rather short stretch of road actually stands out because as well as the tired and tatty displays on the lamp posts they have actually managed to string some lights across the road, nothing new or inspiring, but over the road non the less. Take a quick look down lower Briggate and dont bother looking again, its a copy of the Boar lane shambles - same displays, same positioning, same let down.Now, looking up Briggate and here we have a surprise, we have what I believe to be, some brand new lights, at least I dont recall seeing them before. Briggate looks very bright and shiney with virtually every lamp post holding what appears to be - wait for it - curtains complete with tie backs, all done in bright white, baffeling but at least very bright.Now we pass the Corn exchange and head for the other major gateway into the City - the bus and coach station, another location where an impact can be made on the visitor, and what do we find here ? Nothing, not even the old, tired and tatty lights of many years gone by - absolutly nothing from the Corn exchange down towards the bus station or any of the areas surrounding it either - what a great impression indeed.Leaving the bus station and heading for Eastgate and we find the same old displays up the centre of the road complete with the same ones remaining unlit that we had last year, not a single light can be found on either side of East gate and i cant help feeling a big wide road like this could have been a real eye catching gateway if it had been done right.As I turn left into vicar lane a quick glance up the headrow reveals the same old displays on either side of the road, doing very little, if anything, to bring some cheer into this area. Looking along Vicar lane towards the corn exchange once more and its the same old, old displays yet again but at least along here they are across the road as well as on the lamp posts.Now I appreciate that this is only a small part of the city I have seen today and there could well be an astounding section somewhere I have yet to see but, in all honesty, I wont be holding my breath.For a City the size and importance of Leeds its attempts at bringing Christmas cheer with its light display is woefully disgraceful but a thought did hit me earlier - perhaps there was so much money spent on that monstrosity - erm, sorry - I mean fantastic display under the Dark arches, that they didn't want the Christmas lights out shining it - if thats the case, well done Leeds city council - result. A definite downer on previous years,i would imagine belt tightening is to blame,in which case if savings on the lights have somehow managed to preserve some jobs and some front line services then id have to say that i would go along with it.Almost impossible to prove or quantify i know,but id rather see welfare all around than new trimmings.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Fri 11 Nov, 2011 1:25 pm

The lights are usually put up by people working voluntary overtime on sundays. I wonder if that's been cut or they just said stuff it.

simon2710 · Post by **simon2710** » Tue 15 Nov, 2011 12:33 am

Yes, it looks somewhat dull in Leeds City Centre...If they haven't spent our money on dazzling Xmas lights, then what have they spent the money on I wonder? Another limo for the Mayor who doesn't actually want one??I noticed the other main "streetlights" under the Leeds train station are completely out now or is this on purpose? It seems extremely darker down there than usual. Could also be those stupid L.E.D. lookalikes have broken (yet again) down one side. Why is Leeds City Council and it's mess of contractors (Glendale springs to mind) such a complete and utter joke and mess???

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Tue 15 Nov, 2011 7:08 pm

A friend from out of town commented that the Leeds Christmas Lights "don't seem as good this year" after a visit to our fair city.As has been said though, it's a tricky one - essential services or festive decorations? There is the argument that the lights attract people to Leeds who then spend their money - but how much of that cash would work it's way into the council coffers..?

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Tue 15 Nov, 2011 7:44 pm

I simon2710 wrote: noticed the other main "streetlights" under the Leeds train station are completely out now or is this on purpose? It seems extremely darker down there than usual. Could also be those stupid L.E.D. lookalikes have broken (yet again) down one side. The "floodlights" were out on both sides yesterday evening when I passed through. Those on the West side northbound were the only ones on this morning and I wasn't paying enough attention to notice tonight. The LED lights on the southbound east side have been fixed and seem to have reverted to "random" patterns that change daily not every few seconds as they did recently. The reflectors on the other side do supposedly have backing lights bit if this is true then they have been permanently broken since very soon after initial installation. raveydavey wrote: A friend from out of town commented that the Leeds Christmas Lights "don't seem as good this year" after a visit to our fair city.As has been said though, it's a tricky one - essential services or festive decorations? There is the argument that the lights attract people to Leeds who then spend their money - but how much of that cash would work it's way into the council coffers..? I think there are less, if any, lights that straddle roads (Boer lane used to have these amongst other) but I don't think there is a reduction in lamp post based installations. There are also some of a design I haven't seen previously so ma be a refresh. Boer lane's reduction may be due to access issues courtesy of the Trinity Development including the swallowing up of the former interchange. To be honest I think the tree in City Square is better decorated than at least the last two years.

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Tue 15 Nov, 2011 9:12 pm

I noticed the "Occupy Leeds" camp that has sprung up in City Square in front of the Xmas tree(good planning to be in a place where all the drunks etc can find them<G>) has got some lights around a gazebo ,so at least something to watch as well(tongue firmly in cheek)

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Tue 15 Nov, 2011 9:23 pm

Steve Jones wrote: I noticed the "Occupy Leeds" camp that has sprung up in City Square in front of the Xmas tree(good planning to be in a place where all the drunks etc can find them<G>) has got some lights around a gazebo ,so at least something to watch as well(tongue firmly in cheek) I'll have to take more notice. LochFyne? and The Restaurant had only just stopped setting up their outdoor seating when the Christmas tree arrived but I hadn't noticed an "occupy" encampment since. Is Mill Hill chapel in danger as all other UK based "occupy" protests seem to have migrated to church land and Mill Hill certainly advertises its sanctuary for all.

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 16 Nov, 2011 12:34 am

tyke bhoy wrote: Steve Jones wrote: I noticed the "Occupy Leeds" camp that has sprung up in City Square in front of the Xmas tree(good planning to be in a place where all the drunks etc can find them<G>) has got some lights around a gazebo ,so at least something to watch as well(tongue firmly in cheek) I'll have to take more notice. LochFyne? and The Restaurant had only just stopped setting up their outdoor seating when the Christmas tree arrived but I hadn't noticed an "occupy" encampment since. Is Mill Hill chapel in danger as all other UK based "occupy" protests seem to have migrated to church land and Mill Hill certainly advertises its sanctuary for all. Thesy seem a pretty quiet bunch,i dont think they offer any threat to Mill Hill.Only problem is they have put up banners on the tree fencing and also the ballustrades,takes away a bit of my sympathy.

Old Bramleian · Post by **Old Bramleian** » Fri 18 Nov, 2011 3:35 pm

I haven't see this year's lights but the thread brought to mind the lights of years gone by.In the 1950s such things as Christmas lights were a real novelty and many people like my parents still remembered the blackout days of WW2. We would come into Leeds from Bramley on the bus on a Saturday afternoon and as it pulled into City Square from Wellington Street it was fantastic to see the lights stretching down Boar Lane.Our shopping would take us slowly round to Briggate and up to the Headrow where the true highlight of the afternoon was the Christmas display in Lewis's, followed by a trip upstairs to the toy floor.Perhaps it's the old rose tinted glasses again but laser lights just don't seem to cause the same wonderment that we had.