Celebrating the Lights of Leamington Festival
1951-1961 | Stories from people who were there
Switched On Stories have been collecting and curating memories and mementoes from the original Lights of Leamington Festival and are thrilled to announce an exhibition that shines a light on this slice of post-war local history.
- Switched On Stories – The Exhibition
- Sat 8 – Sun 23 February 2025 (Free Admission)
- All Saints’ Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa CV31 1AA
- Illuminating insights into a slice of local, post-war history
The Lights of Leamington Festival was said to rival the Blackpool Illuminations and drew crowds from across the Midlands – now, with stories that illuminate the joy and excitement of community coach trips to join the celebrations in town, cheeky ways to sneak into the gardens for free, to heartwarming personal recollections of a town emerging from post-war austerity, the exhibition captures for posterity memories of rainbow-lit trees, magical animal installations, spectacular skylines, music, dancing and flamboyant firework displays designed to lift the post-war spirits.
With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Leamington-based events company Whittle Productions’ team have held workshops and met with the community to collate some personal recollections from those who attended the Jephson Gardens’ events between 1951 – 1961.
Directors Carole Sleight and David Clargo
“It has been a privilege to hear such an incredible array of interesting and fascinating recollections about the lights festival and know that by documenting this project it will create a legacy and become part of the towns cultural and heritage narrative. Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to National Lottery players for making it all possible.”
Working alongside local contributors and organisations, the Switched On Stories project shares the history and personal memories in an indoor and outdoor exhibition, film, website, podcasts and information pamphlet to create a legacy for Leamington that will have a permanent home in the Warwickshire County Records Office.
Celebrating and commemorating the history on our doorstep, Switched On Stories – The Exhibition is the culmination of an oral history project that captures an iconic piece of post-war history and offers an illuminating insight into the stories and souvenirs from a much-cherished festival.
Switch on your curiosity and discover more about the history on our doorstep and reflections on the importance that light plays in our communities and faiths.
The Exhibition opens from Saturday 8 – Sunday 23 February 2025 (11am – 5pm Mon-Sat | 1pm – 5pm Sun) at All Saints Parish Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa.
Admission is free.
Switched On Stories will be launched alongside Spotlight, a new Lights of Leamington inspired community-focused lights festival currently in development.
W: switchedonstories.co.uk | E: switchedonleam@gmail.com | F: @LightsofLeamington | I: @lightsofleamington
Please take a look at what we’ve found and join us at the exhibition …
Credit – Maurice Mead Photography and Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum (Warwick District Council)
More information:
About Whittle Productions CIC
Whittle Productions is a Community Interest Charity dedicated to preserving and sharing local heritage through innovative projects that engage and inspire communities throughout Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
whittleproductions.co.uk | Fb: @WhittleProductions | Insta: @whittleproductions
www.whittleproductions.co.uk/switched-on
email switchedonleam@gmail.com
call Carole Sleight on 07768 617081
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Links:
@HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Use: #NationalLotteryHeritageFund