Thurso set to lose a little of its festive sparkle
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THURSO is going to lose a little of its Christmas sparkle this year – because some of the town's lights do not meet new requirements.
The festive lights in the town have been plagued with problems over the last few years. However, earlier in 2019 a new group was formed to take over the lighting and generate some seasonal cheer.
Thurso Christmas Lights Committee is being supported by the town's community development trust.
Alison Wilson, who is involved in the group, said: “We were understandably very disappointed when we were met with this blow to the Christmas lights efforts, but we feel there is no point in dwelling on it as that won’t get us anywhere.
"Instead we are launching fundraising appeals and have come up with a really good plan for the future. Christmas lights are very costly and we really hope Thurso will support us with our efforts. Together we can take the disappointment from this year into a spectacular festive wonderland of lights for 2020.”
Changes in health and safety legislation have meant that "serious issues" have been uncovered with the lights normally put up in the town.
This means that, while some festive lighting will still be used, much of the display will not be installed.
Falling victim to the new regulations will be the lights that were previously strung across the main street, including the "Merry Christmas Thurso" sign.
Still in use this year will be the lamppost fixtures, although in future years they will need to be less than a metre in diameter. Many of the town's lights are larger than the requirement.
Joan Lawrie, voluntary development officer for the trust, said: "It is disappointing, but I think we have recovered pretty quickly. We said, 'we can't do that' but what can we do instead?
"We hope the town will support us if we are open and transparent with them.
"We have a really proactive group – it is just brilliant, and they have such intensive fundraising planned."
She explained that initially the group members were worried about the issues facing them, but now they have had time to think about it and are more upbeat about the future.
They were informed by Highland Council that the points to which the lights strung across the street were attached needed to be tested, involving a charge. They were also told that the points they were using would not pass inspection.
Undaunted by the setback they have already formed a plan of action including various fundraising initiatives, which they hope Thurso people will support.
With Sir John's Square a focal point for the town, members of the group aim to concentrate their attention on that area first.
They hope to create a sparkling festive wonderland in the square and will be busy fundraising this Christmas and through 2020 to help bring their plans to fruition.
Also involved in the group are development trust members Donna Elder, Eilidh Johns, Cara Duff, Morag Imlach and Becca Mackay, as well as a host of volunteers ready to lend a hand with elf and Santa activities.
They have already held a successful fundraising event – the town's annual Halloween party.
This year Thurso has a "beautiful" Christmas tree lined up and there will be a proper switching-on of the festive lights as last year the town did not have an event to mark the occasion.
Volunteer Donna Elder said: “We’re really enthusiastic about the activities we have planned over the festive period. All the old favourites will be taking place, including Santa’s grotto, tea with Santa and a Christmas fun day on December 7, with the all-important Christmas lights switch-on event taking place on Sunday, December 1.
"We’ve decided already that to save confusion the Christmas lights switch-on will always be held on that date and it's an event we hope to grow in future years into a festive spectacular."
Friday, December 6, will be the Christmas jumper day which usually brings in around £600 to £700, with the local traders' Christmas fun day on Saturday, December 7, including Santa's grotto at Caithness Horizons.
