Christmas lights,
Since 1963..
This year is our 61st year and it seems fitting to remember those who started the Lights back in 1963
Although the Lights were loosely formed in 1963, the first formal meeting did not take place until December 1st 1964.
The minutes of that first meeting read as follows:
A meeting of the Mousehole Christmas Illuminations was held in the Harbour Office on Wednesday December 1st to discuss preparations for fixing the lights etc, It was decided to form a committee. With a unanimous vote William McClary was elected Chairman , Mrs Mary Williams Secretary, Mr George Harvey Treasurer, and Committee Members D Penrose, W Trevaskis, WCass, D Murley, O Ladner, C Williams, Mr and Mrs A Stokes, B Torrie, S Purnell and Mr Nim Bawden.
It was decided to ask Mrs Gilchrest to declare the official “Switch On”. Mr G Harvey reported there was about £18 in hand and there were several collecting tins in place in the shops in the village. Mrs Jarman had offered to prepare 3d (1.5p) dips and Mr Harvey offered to sell these in his shop if they were brought to him early enough, failing this Mr Stokes volunteered to sell them on the evening of the Carolaire which will be Monday week.
The Secretary was asked to write to the Sec. of the Pirates Rugby Club to confirm a previous booking of the Pirates Club Choir to lead the Carolaire on the North Pier, and to ask the Rev. Sydney Quick to introduce the carols. Also to write to Captain Sparrow of Trevelloe in the hope that he could give us a fir Christmas Tree to erect at the top of the North Pier. Penlee Quarries are to be asked for the loan of the coke fires once again.
The Committee all offered to make a house to house collection through the village for the Illuminations Fund and to collect their tins from Mr Harvey and meet a week later to count up their splendid efforts.
The Founder Members of the organisation which was to become Mousehole Harbour Lights are known to be:
William McClary (1 st Chairman) Mary Williams (1 st Secretary) George Harvey (1 st Treasurer)
Dudley Penrose, Watson Trevaskis, Bill Cass, Donald Murley,
Owen Ladner, Clarry Williams, Mr & Mrs Arthur Stokes, Barry Torrie, Stuart Purnell, Nim Bawden
Little did they think what they started might go on for so may years!
Footnote:
All of the Founders are sadly now deceased with the exception of Watson Trevaskis, who in his nineties now resides in Australia. Watson (as an Apprentice Electrician) is known to have put up the first lights in 1963, accompanied and assisted by Dudley, Stuart and Nim. RIP.
About us and our history:
The Christmas lights were started in 1963 by Mousehole-based artist, Joan Gillchrest. A string of coloured bulbs were put along both quays to make the village a bit brighter at Christmas time.
From those early days our displays grew very quickly having caught the imagination of a couple of village carpenters who made up and donated items to the displays. Some of their designs, like the sea serpent, are still featured at Christmas although they are not the original pieces. The sea serpent has been remade several times as the weather in December and January can badly affect the displays. The original serpent was made for the 1973 display, but as this was the year of the power cuts, although the lights were all put up, they were only lit for a short period at the end of the Christmas.
Following a major storm on 15th Dec 1989 (the night before switch on) a lot of the items in the harbour were damaged. Some of the 'Bulks' that close of the harbour were smashed out by the sea and items on the Quays were washed into the harbour. By switch on time on the 16th Dec the team had reconstructed most of the items, but as the storm continued the items were not put back up. Switch on that year was held at the bottom of Fore street as the waves crashed over the quays. By the end of that week everything was back up and running including the newest display, the Whale, which fortunately was scheduled to be put into the harbour on switch on day, so missed the storm.
We have recently celebrated our 50th 'Golden' year. From our humble beginnings to present day we have had many unpaid volunteers helping us. As we've passed such a milestone, those who have helped on the lights over the years can especially enjoy the legacy they have left for the village and community.
Our Timeline:
1963 First Lights put up along Quays funded by Mrs Joan Gillchrest
1964 Mousehole Harbour Lights committee formed
1967 Bad weather forced switch on into St.Clements Chapel for the first time
1972 Lights suffered lots of vandalism. Also lots of damage due to bad weather
1973 National Power cuts - Lights not all switched on
1974 Pendeen silver band first carolaire service at Mousehole - they still come every year!
1977 A commemorative ‘set piece’ for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee put up in the summer.
1978 Cross on Quay made with 'Jam Jars' over lamps to protect them from the weather.
1979 Father Christmas washed off back of new Quay during Storms
1980 Mary Williams our founding Secretary switched on. Mary is the grandmother of our current secretary
1981 Penlee Lifeboat Disaster - lights were switched on 18th Dec and off 20th Dec. Switched back on Christmas Eve by request of the families of the Lost Lifeboat Crew
1982 The cross moved from Old Quay and placed between the angels 1983 Discussion between Electricians of placing an item on St.Clements Isle. Newlyn lights restarted.
1984 BBC's Blue Peter Switched on for our 21st Year 1985 Largest crowd ever on switch-on night (Estimated 5000 people)
1987 Vapour trail added to Santa's sleigh to put some lights into the 'Black spot'
1988 Technicians experimenting with low voltage lighting 1989 Major Storm night before switch on wrecked the harbour displays. Merry Christmas double wired for Happy New Year. Whale made - original design came from a fridge magnet!
1990 Our 'Mouse' Logo was designed and made in lights external domestic low voltage lights 1991 The 'Welcome' sign was made and put over the road entering the village
1992 Donation of money from the sale of the old Football Club building set-up an 'Emergency Fund'
1993 16th Edition Electrical regulations upgrade depleated our 'Emergency Fund'
1994 The Stocking made using the design of our Secretary from 1969 when she was at Primary School
1996 Fountain lit by coloured floodlights was put into the harbour
1999 Celtic Cross lit on St.Clements Isle by subsea cable (110 volt system). Dates added to Merry Christmas
2001 Road closures were introduced on switch on night. Father Christmas lit by ropelight
2002 A commemorative ‘set piece’ for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee put up in the summer
2007 Snowman converted to Low voltage lighting
2009 Celtic Cross on St.Clements Isle converted to LED's and powered by wind generator
2010 Pudding and Robin converted to Low voltage lighting 2011 Church converted to low voltage lighting. Dolphins added to Whale
2012 Merry Christmas/Happy New Year rewired. New Quay trees converted to L.V.. Solar panels on Island. A commemorative ‘set piece’ for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee put up in the summer
2013 Fundraising events held throughout the year to put on an extra special display to celebrate our 50th year. Big lottery Fund grant of £9000 awarded to help us upgrade and replace older displays with new low voltage and energy saving lamps.
2014 Celtic Cross on Island lost during storms in February. Cross rebuilt and solar PV cells replaced. New controller made for Snowflakes. Bottle and glass replaced by Low voltage lighting. New Nativity Scene at St.Clement's Church
2015 Santa, sleigh & reindeers replaced with LED lamps on alloy structures. RNLI sign rebuilt. Gator 4x4 vehicle purchased with Lottery assistance. "Merry Christmas" seriously damaged in high winds.
2016 Island solar panels lost in winter storms - replaced with crystalline panel on new structure and new high capacity cells installed. Merry Christmas lettering extensively rebuilt. Snowman and Parcel replaced with LED lamps on alloy structures. Stocking and Cat both re-lamped with ELV LEDs. Revamped New store and workshop opened by C'llor Harding. Stars on Starey Gazey pie replaced. Cliff Road string extended to 320m and with Commercial Rd string, replaced with LEDs.
2017 Father Christmas blown over a week before switch on and damaged. Stocking, Starey Gazey Pie converted to L.V..
2018 New controller built for the Whale. various smaller items converted to Low voltage LEDs
2019 Mine Engine house built from LEDs, Whale and Church converted to LED. New lantern, baubles and growing Christmas tree made all from LEDs.
2020 Annual display cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic
2023 New piece to be displayed