On Friday 7 February 2025, Switched on Stories hosted the launch of Lights of Leamington | The Exhibition at All Saints; Church, Leamington Spa. which was attended by over 100 local contributors, dignitaries, supporters and organisations.
After attending open days at the end of last year and sharing their memories and mementoes from the original Lights of Leamington events, eleven storytellers walked the red carpet to see their festival stories woven into a film produced by Playview Productions, exhibition, website and podcast series. Researched by Exhibition Curator, Vicki Slade’s narrative has been incorporated into the exhibition designed by Jo Derviller from Leamington-based design company, Imaginate to create a reflective and celebratory commemoration of an iconic slice of local, post-war history. Mayor Judith Clarke, present to officially open the event, described The Exhibition as: “...an emotional experience taking us to a place which was magical and special following the austere and harsh years after the war. It really showed the creativity and aspirations of the town.”. The launch was also attended by Tom Taylor, Investment Manager from the National Lottery Heritage Fund who have helped fund the project, describing it as “something really rather special and a fitting tribute to Leamington’s historical legacy”. After assisting with volunteering and hearing the storytellers’ tales, local poet, Matt Black was inspired to write a poem called ‘After Dark’ which will be available to read on Switched on Stories website.
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Matt Black - Leamington-based poet
After Dark
After dark let there be light, light, lights!
War behind us, let Jephson Gardens be
A moonlit galaxy where we can wander, free
To wonder at magic scenes on summer nights,
At peace, like giant swans afloat, calm and white.
Let chippies and sparkies build lakeside fantasies,
Windmills, a floral arch, a mad hatters’ tea-party,
An ocean-going boat, let us be amazed
At lightscapes and riverscapes of dreams and hope.
We’ll leave brown sitting-rooms, gloomy radios
And rationing behind to find a fairy castle,
Glamour nights out with bulbs dazzle and sparkle.
Laughing families, giddy friends in groups,
In best Doris Day frocks and Clarke Gable suits,
And lovers walk hand-in-hand, spin and hop
The night away to a South Town skiffle band.
Trainloads and coachloads will come to marvel
At our Hollywood dream by the Leam, at Alice
In Wonderland, at the skyline of New York,
Free Trips Today to the Waterfront at Venice.
Here we are in heaven, at the Jephson Tavern,
Near the Hitchman Fountain, time being timeless
On a floral clock, under a moon that may
Be real, or may not, may be a spot,
Lit up by beer and floating lanterns
Like large stars swaying in the midnight trees.
Amongst formal beds of flowers, we’ll pass
These precious hours, peace at last, on holiday,
Out for the night, lucky as anyone can be,
As we meander from light to light to light.
Matt Black, 2025
Leamington writer, Matt Black was inspired by the stories he heard when volunteering at Switched on Stories research and story gathering days.
After Dark is the result.