Plans to bring Christmas cheer back to Banff's Plainstones
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PLANS are in place to bring some festive cheer back to the plainstones in Banff this year.
A Christmas tree and lights are set to be put up on Low Street – where the lights used to be up until their move to the Harvest Centre on Castle Street a couple of years ago.
The light switch-on is set to take place on Sunday, November 29, and will be streamed on social media.
However, the group organising the lights and tree, the newly-formed Banff Plainstones Christmas Cracker, needs to raise funds to make everything happen.
The group's chairman Kenny Grant, who also runs the The Broken Fiddle café, said: "A lot of local people were asking when the tree and lights were coming back to the plainstones and it was just an idea we had.
"We won't be able to have an official switch on this year, due to covid-19 restrictions, but there are going be lights and a tree.
"It's for the community and the kids. There is no bonfire night this year, the holidays weren't really holidays. So it's for the children, to give them something to look forward to. It'll be something new for them.
"We are hopeful this can become an annual event and are hopeful we can have a big light switch on next year.
"But, because of coronavirus, we are struggling for funds and need sponsorship and donations from local businesses – which we are starting to get."
The biggest show of support so far has come from Banff Rovers Football Club, with the club having already donated £200 and having pledged to make £1500 for the lights through their 50-50 raffle and scratch cards.
"They have been the biggest supporters," Mr Grant said. "They donated 50 per cent of their football scratch card and are doing the same with their 50-50 draw for the next three months.
"We have had donations from a number of other businesses but we are still hoping to get the word out there more."
The Plainstones Christmas Cracker has set up a JustGiving page to raise funds.
The aim is to raise £15,000, but Mr Grant said £4000 was made to break even.
You can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/banfffestivelights .
