Northern Lights - The Story of the Heckmondwike Illuminations

Heckmondwike, one of the first towns in the country to have illuminations, first celebrating the opening of the market and then celebrating Christmas from 1885 -- making 2010 the 125th anniversary of the illuminations.

The documentary explores how the illuminations started and the impact they had on Heckmondwike. It highlights parallels with the now world famous Blackpool illuminations and features interviews with Kim Strickson of Kirklees council, local artist Shakila Mumtaz and Blackpool based historian and writer Terry Regan. Including news cuttings, images and photographs the documentary charts the illuminations from the early days through their heydays in the 1920's, 30's 40's and 50's and finishing with 2010's Christmas lights switch on.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• heckmondwike
• illuminations
• blackpool
• kirklees
• gas
• lamps

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nice to see some one has looked into the history of the lights but no mention of one family who between 1987 and 2003 was out in all weathers lighting the town from one end to an other.I am part of that family and becouse there was no money for them to be put up we did this out of the goodness of or heart along with friends and a local counciler who joind us around about 1998.Then in 2004 Heckmondwike was apointed a town centre manager who got funding and hired contractors to put up the lights