I was disappointed at the switching on of the Christmas lights recently.

We took our two children as a treat, and they were very excited. We watched the parade and then waited in the square for an hour for the Grand Finale due to start at 6.45pm. The delay was caused by the late arrival of the gospel choir.

By 7.45pm the choir were singing to a crowd who barely applauded, the children were tired and restless, and even Father Christmas had gone on a walkabout to relieve the boredom.

With no sign of a switch-on, we eventually went home with two very disappointed children. People were leaving in droves.

I feel the whole event was mismanaged. It should be an event for children. If the gospel choir was late they should have been put on after the switch-on or asked to shorten their act.

If Bolton wants to market itself as a place for family entertainment, that Thursday night was a disaster.

F A Smithson

Sefton Lane, Horwich

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.