Lights group need a surveyor to save the day
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THE Huntly Christmas Lights Group is calling for help to avoid another year of disappointment.
Last year, the group spent £1,200 on fees for a surveyor to sign off the safety of putting up lights in the town only to find the papers weren't sufficient and whole areas were left unlit.
Chairman, and one of the original founders of the group, Brian Morris said it would be a disaster to see the same thing happen two years in a row.
He said: "Because of an incident in another Aberdeenshire town where a lorry hit some overhead lights we're not allowed to keep the cables up all year, which means we need more money and time each year to make this work.
"The money we spent last year on legal documents was wasted. We really need a chartered structural surveyor to come forward and help us get the lights up this year."
The group took over the running of the lights when Aberdeenshire council stopped, and Brian has been with the group for 15 years. He says they are met with so many restrictions.
He explained: "We have 10 beautiful basket lights but are only able to use five in the square because of the condition of the lamp posts. This is out of our control.
"New lamp posts were erected in the town with no sockets for the lights. And aluminium lampposts were put up on Deveron Road – we can't put lights on those."
The areas the group is struggling to sign off for lighting include Duke Street and part of The Square.
"People weren't happy last year to see areas which are usually lit going without lights," said Brian. "If someone can help us this year it would avoid that happening again."
The group's funds go on maintenance, insurance, electricity and buying new lights.
Group secretary Vickie Tanter said: "We are well supported by the community. Strathbogie Bakery, in particular, give us money from their plastic bag charge and we've raised money at coffee mornings and bingo.
"We have beautiful new red bauble cascades for this year, so it would be lovely to see everything up."
Some of the more quirky lights come from the group's other source of income – funeral donations. Along the streets of Huntly at Christmas you might see lights in the shape of a lorry, tractor, fire engine and drums. These are all dedicated to people who have passed away and donated to the cause from funeral funds.
The local Boys Brigade has also donated and had a personalised light put in place for them.
To get in touch find the group on Facebook.
