Leamington’s Whittle Productions CIC are delighted to announce they have been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new oral history project called ‘Switched on Stories’. This will record and preserve the stories and memorabilia from the iconic Lights of Leamington Festival which took place in Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961. The grant has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

To achieve this, Whittle Productions invite everyone who remembers this festival to participate in two community open days to gather, share and save this heritage by gathering their stories and memorabilia from the original Lights of Leamington.

The open days will take place on Saturday, September 7, at Dormer Conference Centre, and Saturday, September 14, at All Saints’ Parish Church as part of the Leamington History Group’s Heritage Open Day. Both events are free to drop into from 10am to 4pm and in
accessible venues.

Material selected from these events will create a story archive which will have a permanent home in the Warwickshire County Records Office, an outdoor and indoor exhibition, film, website, podcasts and community information pamphlet.

Carole Sleight and David Clargo of Whittle Productions said “We are delighted to receive support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players as it’s a unique opportunity to unearth and document the stories and souvenirs surrounding this much cherished festival and create a legacy for Leamington Spa.”

Whittle Productions hope people will speak to their families and friends, look through old boxes of photos and films and reflect on a festival that was said to have rivalled the Blackpool Illuminations. It featured trees illuminated in a rainbow of colours, magical animal installations, fairy tale characters, music, dancing, and spectacular firework displays that attracted crowds from across the West Midlands.

Without funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, these precious stories and cultural heritage might have been lost. Now, thanks to this Heritage Grant, and the support we have received from UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and many others, the details of this local creative and cultural festival can be collated and shared with future generations.

This will all be presented in February 2025 alongside a new Lights of Leamington inspired community-focused lights festival currently in development. So please join in shining a light on this significant festival and help create a lasting legacy for the future.

More information about the open days and the history of this project is at www.lightsofleamington.co.uk. To have an informal discussion or volunteer at the
workshops please email: switchedonleam@gmail.com, or call Carole Sleight on 07768 617081.