Christmas Events Adjusted or Canceled Due to Expected Storm Bert

Numerous Christmas light switch-on events have been canceled, postponed, or scaled back in anticipation of Storm Bert. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across the country, forecasting torrential rain and wind gusts up to 70mph for Saturday. Among the events called off are the Worcester lantern parade, the Bromsgrove Christmas light switch-on, and St John’s market. Other gatherings in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, along with the Ironbridge lights switch-on, have either been reduced in scope or rescheduled for a later date. The district council stated, “We have made the difficult decision to cancel our Bromsgrove Christmas Light Switch On event, tomorrow, Saturday 23rd November.” They further elaborated, “Following an extensive assessment of the weather forecast and coordination with our contractors, the impact of the expected wind speeds and gusts were deemed potentially unsafe for temporary structures.” In Malvern, a scaled-down version of the Christmas lights switch-on will proceed on Saturday, with activities planned until approximately 17:00 GMT. The lights switch-on itself is still scheduled for 17:30. A post on the Ironbridge lights Facebook page indicated that organizers are coordinating with contractors to move their event to Saturday 30 November. Whitchurch Town Council confirmed that their switch-on would still occur at 16:00 GMT, but the afternoon entertainment and market would be relocated to the Market Hall. Children’s fairground rides are expected to operate, subject to prevailing weather conditions. Warwickshire County Council announced the cancellation of both Warwick Market and Leamington Christmas Market, citing “everyone’s safety in mind.” Nuneaton’s Street Market will operate at a reduced capacity due to the forecasted high winds, with traders working exclusively from their vehicles, as stated by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Plans for the Bedworth Christmas Lights switch-on event have been scaled back. The council explained, “Alternative dates were considered with a view to rescheduling the event, but without promise the weather will improve, and the availability of traders means the event will go ahead but with changes for safety reasons.” Consequently, stalls have been moved indoors, with Bedworth Covered Market open from 08:00 GMT to 14:00. The lights will be switched on at All Saints Church from 18:00 GMT. Tamworth Borough Council has decided to postpone its event until Saturday 7 December. Similarly, organizers of the Santa’s Arrival Parade and Christmas event in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, have moved their celebrations indoors, with the parade now taking place inside The Potteries Centre.