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A fond farewell to our hero and mentor…

Sadly after around seven years in charge, in 1998, Roy suffered a disabling stroke which made it impossible for him to help again and his last task with us was to switch on the lights that year, actually coming straight from recuperating in Melksham Hospital to do so.

I am on record many times since in saying that without doubt the spirit that Roy generated all those years ago still lives on in the current team whose new members are constantly told about and the old members are regularly reminded of the debt of gratitude anyone who is involved with or enjoys and supports the town’s current Christmas lights displays owes to Roy for his vision and his unswerving determination to achieve that vision.

Roy Bowen

1923-2011

We have both as individuals and as a group constantly sung the praises of Roy Bowen for his unselfish and tireless efforts towards the reshaping of the town’s Christmas lights in 1991.

Roy sadly died on April 28th 2011 but his memory and sacrifices made in both time and energy on behalf of the town’s Christmas lights will never be forgotten by anyone who was aware of his incredible efforts against a tide of indifference that prevailed in the early 1990’s and this spirit along with his ideal vision of improving the lights year on year still inspires and drives our current lights team today.

Roy convinced a number of individuals and organisations that this was a civic project that could be achieved and to use his widow Julia’s phrase when following his death she spoke about Roy’s various activities and contributions to our community she movingly said the Christmas lights became ‘his baby’.

Roy and Julia Bowen

I am sure in recent years Roy was quietly pleased and satisfied that following his illness right through to last years display his lights team-mates have never let him down in successfully continuing to constantly improve the lights each year in the spirit he had intended.

People rarely get the opportunity to do things that significantly leaves a long-lasting impression on their community, I believe Roy has done just that and his legacy is clear for everyone to see every Christmastime in the twinkling and sparkling streets of Melksham.

Our love and thoughts are with Julia at this difficult time, her unselfish attitude in encouraging Roy to sacrifice so much time and energy involved in the lights obviously had a great influence on his ability to achieve what he undoubtedly did.

I hope that the spirit and achievements of the current Christmas lights team will continue to act as a constant reminder of a very special person who had a dream and succeeded through sheer hard work in making that dream a reality . . . that man was Roy Bowen, our hero and mentor.

Farewell Roy, rest in peace.