Clovelly gears up for another Christmas Lights spectacular

With its 14th-century harbour, cobbled streets, and old world charm, Clovelly in North Devon is an enchanting place all year round. But it really comes into its own at Christmas time, when volunteers from the RNLI deck out the whole village with thousands of twinkling lights.

Last year, the event raised in the region of £4,000 to support the RNLI’s work saving lives at sea. This year, local MP Geoffrey Cox – who has been a big supporter of Clovelly RNLI – will be doing the honour of switching on the lights. On Sunday 3 December 2023 the village will host an array of festive activities, starting at 4pm with a brass band procession down the street. There will be stops for carols along the way, followed by a carol service and performance from Woolsery School Choir in the harbour. Afterward, Sir Geoffrey will flip the switch, illuminating the village with a magical display. The evening will conclude with fireworks lighting up the night sky.

There will be plenty of festive food and drink on offer, with hog roast and grog in the harbour and tea and cakes in the lifeboat station. The Red Lion and New Inn will also be open for refreshments.

In previous years, children have been delighted to see Father Christmas making his way down the cobbles. But now there will also be a chance to meet him as well, courtesy of a special Santa’s Grotto located in the lifeboat station.

The event is organised by volunteers at Clovelly Lifeboat Station to raise money for the RNLI. In lieu of the usual entrance fee to the village, visitors are asked to make a donation of £10 per vehicle to the charity from 2pm onwards. The crew would like to thank Mimick Signs of Bideford for their generous support.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Marsh, Clovelly Lifeboat Press Officer, 07815 930818, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.