Skegness Illuminations

Written by Angela Gooch on June 8th, 2007 in Holiday Information, Tourist Attractions.

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Skegness Lights 2007 latest news

Meanwhile, let’s have a look at the brilliant switch on night Skegness had last year…

news story date 29th July 2006

Clock Tower during the Skegness Illuminations switch on 2006 East Lindsey District Council proudly presented the Grand Switch On of the Skegness Illuminations this evening.
And rightly so!
The whole evening was an absolutely fabulous success for Skegness!
Spectators were saying this years Skegness’ switch on was the best yet!
Entertainment began on the Clock Tower Island at 7.30pm with a band and Beve’s Dancers from the Dunes pub.
Hundreds of people gathered on Tower Esplanade, North and South Parades and Lumley Road.
Eddie Shaw from Lincs FM was the compare for the evening.
He announced the arrival of the procession at around 8.45pm, commencing with the North East Lincolnshire Pipe Band.

VIPs began arriving, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Skegness.
below:
Councillor Sue Binch (right of photo) and Councillor John Byford and family.

Coun Byford and Coun Binch at Skegness illuminations

Skegness Carnival Queen, Carnival Princess and Rosebud arrived in their adorned carriage.

carnival queen princess and rosebud at Skegness illuminations

The crowd was ecstatic when Coronation Street Star Sean Tully (Anthony Cotton) drew up in the Royal Renaissance Hotel’s luxury limo.

Sean Tull arriving in limo at Skegness Illuminations

Sean Tully waved at the crowd before disappearing into the Clock Tower.

Sean Tully waving to crowd at Skegness illuminations switch on

The procession ended with the St Simon’s and St Jude’s Church Lads and Girls Brigade Band.

marching church band at Skegness illuminations

Billy the Butlins Bear and the Butlins Redcoats certainly got the children singing and dancing.

Butlins mascot Billy Bear with Redcoats at Skegness Illuminations

….as did Bob the Builder!

Bob the Builder with Butlins Redcoats Skegness illuminations

Eddie Shaw then introduced the Carnival Rosebud, Kenzie aged 7.

Radio presenter Eddie Shaw and Skegness Carnival Rosebud

…the Carnival Princess, Bryony (below)
Eddie asked Bryony if she was nervous, “No”, she replied, laughing.
Read what Bryony said about her experiences as Carnival Princess at the Skegness Illuminations Switch On at the foot of the page.

radio presenter and Carvival Princess

…and Laura, the Carnival Queen.

Eddie Shaw with Skegness Carnival Queen

This was their first official engagement since being crowned two weeks ago.

The Jolly Fisherman, mascot of Skegness was a favorite, as always!

Jolly Fisherman Skegness Illuminations switch on

Eddie Shaw interviewed Sofie and Dan, students of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Alford.
Sofie, aged 12 and Dan, aged 13, designed on of the Skegness Illuminations features. The animated flash design is projected on a screen in Compass Gardens, Skegness.
The Lincs FM presenter asked Sofie why she and Dan had been chosen to design the feature. Sofie replied “Because we’re gifted and talented…or something!”
And so they are.

Here are a couple of frames from the animation designed by the Year 8 students of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Alford…

flash animations designed by local grammar school students

falsh animations at Skegness illuminations

Eddie shaw then introduced Coronation Street star, Sean Tully.
The crowd were ecstatic.
(below)
“Good evening, Skegness!”, Sean shouted.
(transcript of interview with Sean Tully coming soon)

Coronation Street star, Sean Tully

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.

Bob the Builder, Eddie Shaw and Sean Tully poised over the Red Button which would switch on Skegness Illuminations.

Sean began the countdown - 10, 9, 8….3, 2, 1…..

…the crowd ready with mobile phones and cameras…

Crowd at Skegness Illuminations switch on

…the Red Button was pressed…

Sean Tully switches on the lights in Skegness

…and Skegness lit up!

Roman candles on the Clock Tower….

Roman candles around the Illuminated clock tower in Skegness

…a magnificent fireworks display to the dramatic music of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture.

fireworks display Skegness Illuminations

Yet another brilliant success for Skegness

Bryony tells us what it was like to be the Skegness Carnival Princess at the Skegness Illuminations Switch On:

“I loved having my hair and make-up done at the hairdressers (Millionhairs offered to do it free of charge for us, as part of our prize), no offence to my mum but, well, it was better than any other hairstyle we would have tried. When we were at the town hall beforehand I was so nervous, I didn’t have anything to eat or drink, but luckily I got the first picture with Mr Tully himself. Yay! After 30 minutes or so we gradually made our way to the clock tower in a procession. I saw loads of people I know and I was so embarrassed! We finally made it to the tower, where we got introduced. Me, Laura (the queen) and Kenzie (the rosebud) had to wait for ages before we got introduced on the stage. We all thought we would go on stage together but when Eddy Shaw just called out Kenzie’s name, Laura and I looked at each other nervously! After a while Shaun came on stage and turned on the lights. We had a lot of pictures taken. Then we got into the limo with Shaun, oh my goodness! When we got to the Renaissance Hotel, we found out that our guests couldn’t get in because they didn’t have a ticket, and they were waiting patiently for us, but they were allowed in when we arrived. We had loads to eat and drink, but the downfall was I couldn’t have any wine. Oh, they’re all spoilsports!!”

LincsFM presenter interviews Sean Tully Skegness illuminations