Dear A,

I can see you made a comment about Jonny Higgins delivering Workington Christmas Lights and bringing his talents back to Carlisle - I believe that this year the Carlisle Christmas Lights was delivered by another event management company not based in the region, however their expertise and reputation in delivering large scale Christmas events is outstanding. They worked with the council to deliver a 'community led' event rather than spending our tax money on paying for overpriced artists - the Carlisle event wasn't about spending money, it was about involving the community in 'their' event - Christmas is about families, about the community - good on you Carlisle City Council!

I can't believe the amount of negativity about this event - wake up you lot, this event allowed our own talent to have a moment to shine in front of our own crowd. Most of the suppliers at this event were Cumbria based - the event organisers could have brought in suppliers and entertainment from outside the region instead they kept our money within our own city - these suppliers pay tax that goes back into our economy.

For once this event ran smoothly, no gaps waiting for the acts to get on stage and get ready, all the entertainment was so slick. The quality of this event was like something you would have seen in cities like Edinburgh, Manchester or London.

We should be proud of this event instead of finding silly negatives to whinge about. Just think of how all those children would feel about the moaning u all are doing, this was a great day for them. Get some kindness and Christmas spirit back in your souls.

My opinion was that it was a step forward for the city and events that are delivered, perhaps it may just bring tourists into our city and generate £££££

Paul M - local talent HAS been featured at past Carlisle "switch ons" - case in point being Andrew Johnston, who came so very close to winning Britain's Got Talent in 2008. Promo Girl performed on stage 2 years back and now - under the new name of The Future Kicks - are recording their debut album in London and Stevie D performed on stage this year.

@ A.Torchbearer on 20 November 2012 at 10:27

Ashamed ? quite the opposite, I am proud that I live in a country where I can speak as I see. It is because of the sacrifice of people, such as those I have worked with (and helped to pick up the aftermath of) who are real heroes.

"lack of social awareness" Honestly, that is what you think, when did we meet for you to make this judgement?

I am very fortunate to have worked with some real heroes, people who have been prepared to help others without any thought of their own safety, or lives. Being a torchbearer does not amount to 'heroic' in my book, or indeed the dictionary definition.

I stand by my original comments.

There are many many local bands who would have loved the chance to entertain the crowds, some would have done it for free, just for the exposure - and these are talented people, they play, write, and perform. I would like to see these talents given the opportunity rather than assault on the hearing that was Jamie Archer. The sets by Stageright were very good, and gives the locals a chance to perform.

It's not negativity we're seeing on this blog, it's people speaking their minds as they see it - and if something is awful then we should call it 'awful', and not try to make out like it was a great event.

Anyway, I'll try not to be 'negative'.

I thought the show was amazingingly fanatastic. Jamie Archer (whoever he is) was sublime, his songs (whatever they are) are as ground-breaking and beautiful as any of Beethoven's symphonies, and the X-factor should replace Maths & English on the school curriculum (although it seems like it already has).

Have a non-negative day!

Lay off Jonathan Higgins - he did a sterling job as host in Workington and our festival was MAGNIFICENT. By all accounts that I've heard, Carlisle's was superb and it's great that Jamie went down tremendously - why he got booted out BEFORE Jedward I still do not understand to this day.

This is good news for Carlisle having such an high calibre celebrity involved in switching on the Christmas lights.

E
Workington
West Cumbria

Negativity people ! really - this year the council desided to have a change and do a swap with workington the reason workington got marcus collins was because of jonny higgins. He snaped him up maybe he should stick to hisn grounds and bring carlisle some decent people not working ton !

wow the 45s are fantastic the lights are fantastic the atmosphere was fantastic everything was fantastic, the home grown talent were the highlight 45s the new beatles we think, my husband been a musician for 30 years he said they need signing quick. well done carlisle

I was unbelievably fortunate enough to be a torch bearer on stage and I thought the event was fantastic! PaulM you should be ashamed of yourself! Your lack of social awareness is disgusting. I was nominated for the 'raffle' because of the countless hours, even days of my own time that I have committed to allowing other people to achieve, during an extremely busy personal life. Now I do not take pleasure in being branded a local 'hero' , I take more pleasure in that the person who nominated me thought what I was doing for other people was worthy of such recognition. I hope you are less single minded and more worldly aware before you pass comment next time.

I cannot believe the negativity of some people leaving comments on here, did you not see the smiles on the faces of all the children that took part in this event, from the amazing community Street Parade (granted it was the first one undertaken) right through to all the LOCAL acts that were given their chance to shine for their home crowd. The organisers could have easily brought in paid entertainment to fill these slots but instead embraced Carlisle and what talent is available on our doorstep. I believe the comperes are from Cumbria - well done to the organisers for finding someone homegrown and not just a radio presenter. As for all the comments about how a neighbouring city got a bigger X Factor name, well I am delighted for once that the tax payers money wasn't spent on a headline act worth that amount of money, Jamie Archer was amazing, not only could he sing but he gave so much of his own time meeting the people of Carlisle afterwards - he was a great guy. I believe the sound issues were related to local residents complaining about the volume this is why the organisers had to lower the sound levels. All in all I think Carlisle City Council and the event organisers should give themselves a pat on the back for embracing local community spirit and not spending loads of cash to do it.