Holt Christmas Lights Committee would like to thank everyone who donated toward the 2011 event. Several of the businesses in the town and also out of town gave toward the Lights fund and local people also contributed. Donations go towards the cost of the lighting of the Community buildings in town and also the Switch On event. This year shops who contributed to the Fund also received a 7 foot tree at no charge for tree holders and also received a thank you on the much visited Christmas Lights website.
The Christmas Lights Committee is a small band of volunteers who meet every month and then nearer to the switch on event, every week. Each member has a role to play with the lighting of the town for the 6 week period. Committee members take it in turns to pay for the coffee which keeps them going at their early morning meetings in Bakers & Larners Coffee Shop.
The Committee is always looking for volunteers. New ideas are also very welcome. The challenges are many, but the triumph of seeing the town lit for 6 weeks and the businesses thrive as a consequence is very important.
Seen here in the photo are Committee members Joshua Dyball (Josh.Biz) who has set up the Christmas Lights website and manages it; Nina and Duncan Baker (Nina is the Treasurer), Town Councillor Maggie Prior who is Community Liaison Officer; Chris Lambert (from Smith & Pinching) – Chris manages the trees; Tom Dick who manages the Street Stalls on Switch-on Night; Simon Gresham, who manages the Lighting displays, Jen Barker who arranges the Entertainment on the Switch-on Night; Esme Bagnall Oakeley who is Committee Chairman. Unable to be in the photograph were Sue Landers and Alexa Kings from Bakers and Larners who arranged the quiz, raffle and collecting tins in the town. Also not in the photo, Di Dann who undertakes road closure and arranges bucket collection.
Full details relating to the receipts and payments for the event will be published on the website in the New Year.
“Its been harder this year to raise funds for lighting the community buildings” said Esme “but its so important to keep our lights display going as it brings people into the town in the six week run up to Christmas”
Gentleman Jim, the stilt walker, leading the lantern parade through Appleyard on Christmas Switch on Night
