Soggy Angels
A recent Channel 5 documentary, The Oxford Street Christmas Lights: Then and Now, revealed that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the Christmas lights.
In 1954 Regent Street was the first in the country, turning on some pretty rudimentary lights at Christmas 1954. The following year the first cross-street decorations appeared, snowflakes using illuminated recycled aircraft landing lights.
Paul Dart contributed to the programme, he is designer of my favourite: 'The Spirit of Christmas Angels', which appeared in 2016 have been recycled in Regent Street ever since, see below.
During the austire 1960s only Oxford Street entered into the festive spirit.
The Regent Street Association realising their less prestigious cousin was taking all the compliments at Christmas were not to be outdone. They hired a well-known Italian designer charged with producing a 'tasteful' display to rival their competitor.
His solution was to produce giant white flying angels made out of papier-mâché posed with their faces looking down serenely at the crowds below.
London in those days was renowned for rain, in fact, you could spot an American a mile off for they came here prepared for their visit wearing the ubiquitous white raincoat, Columbo style. This particular November had seen an exceptional amount of rain, even by London standards.
The Italian designer just hadn't taken of the fact that Northern Europe is considerably damper than the Mediterranean. Soon the press was running the story about Pregnant Angels, no doubt to the amusement of Oxford Street retailers.
The late journalist and author Alf Townsend took up the story: "I noticed a guy done up in heavy waterproof gear and wearing a yellow sou'wester. He was sitting on a cart that Westminster Council road sweepers used in those days and I thought to myself, "this bloke is out late". He came over to ask for a light and we got talking. He said his job started after the traffic had died down and, picking up this long pole with a wicked-looking blade at the end, he told me that the pole could reach some 40 feet when it was extended. His job was to pierce the angel's tummies and let the water out - hence his heavy waterproofs! We had a good laugh over it - especially when he said the guys back at the depot called him: “The Holy Terminator".