'The Phoenix Nights version of other displays' and a money orientated Santa: Hucknall residents hit out at 'disappointing' festival

A number of Hucknall residents have expressed their disappointment with this year's Hucknall Christmas Festival.

The event took place on Wednesday (1 December) and included the switching on of the town's Christmas lights.

There was a huge turnout as hundreds of people descended on the market and the high street, however some people were left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

One such person was Darren Riley, he told Hucknall Nub News. "It was brilliant to see the residents of Hucknall come out in force for the light switch on but in all honesty the organisation was dreadful. The funfair that's normally on the market never materialised so straight away a shame. The social distancing was no (sic) existent. Again no parade this year another cost cutting exercise by our council. The marketplace itself was so dark walking across it to the stage was a great challenge."

Local resident Paul Atherley said: "I agree the marketplace was too dark, the black benches and posts were hard to spot even knowing their layout."

A third attendee, Jay Pearce was equally unimpressed. She said: "I'm not sure anything positive could be said about it at all to be honest. So underwhelming, and anticlimactic.

"They usually have fairy lights in the trees circling the market that are pre-lit to give some light over the marketplace but this year it was ridiculously dark. It was packed and people not social distancing.

"There were less stalls than I seem to remember. No fairground rides.

"And I'd much rather have the actual tree in place on the market instead of the penguins/lit up animals that we seem to have instead each year.

"Was really looking forward to it as it was my toddler son's first time (that he was aware of) but felt like it was just the Phoenix nights version of other displays."

There was also disappointment with the manner of the people playing Santa.

Tanya Payne took her six-year-old twins to see 'Santa' but was disappointed that his opening words to her children were about how much it cost for a toy. Ms Payne said: "It's not difficult to at least pretend it's 'for the kids' and try to preserve the magic of Christmas rather than be SO blatant about it all being about money, money, money!!!"

Diane Grainger added: "Santa could have been more pleasant it's not all about the money it's about Christmas spirit for the children."

The festival was making a return after being cancelled in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, not everyone was in agreement that the evening was poor.

Gail Housechild said: "I thought the dancers at Believe Academy and the rest of the people on stage deserved a mention. All freezing cold and with a different way of going on and off stage this year all coped well and were brilliant.

"Myself and my daughter really enjoyed the night was lovely to say it could all have been cancelled like last year."

Michelle Horton concurred, she said: "The dancers and singers were fantastic. Well done to all involved. Thanks to our local firefighters giving the kids and adults an insight into the fire engine."

The festival was one of three organised by Ashfield District Council with Kirkby's being held on Friday 26 November and Sutton's being held next Tuesday (7 December).