Town saddened over festive vandalism
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DISGUSTING, disappointing and mindless are just some of the words being used by the community to describe vandalism to the town's Christmas lights display over the festive period.
At some point between Christmas eve and Boxing Day, the lights on the Christmas tree in The Square (outside Turriff Library) were pulled off, damaging the lights and leaving the tree bare.
Previously the Turra Coo had suffered a similar fate when her lights had to be removed just a week after the switch on when they too were left damaged by suspected vandals.
The town's festive lighting displays are funded and organised by Turriff Christmas Lights Group, ten volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure Turriff always shines bright in the dark winter nights.
The group's activities include adhering to Aberdeenshire Council's festive lighting regulations by contracting a qualified electrician to identify and check the lighting columns to be used, state the wattage of each and submit this application to the Council.
They also need to apply to the Council for permission to use a road crane to erect and dismantle the lights.
To adhere with the regulations the group are also responsible for PAT testing the lights and carrying out repairs and general maintenance – which is why the group work need to raise a minimum of £4000 every year just to keep the town aglow.
The group, who were upset by the discovery of the vandalism, said: “While it is disappointing that the lights on the Christmas Tree in the Square were damaged, the Turriff Christmas Lights Group would very much like to thank the community for their support at all fundraising activities.
“The Group are very grateful to the two local sponsors who donate the Christmas Tree at the Square and supply the use of a mobile crane, otherwise this would incur extra costs.”
The vandals have also been condemned by Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, who lives locally and regularly attends the switch on event with his family.
He said:"This is very disappointing.
“I cannot understand the motivation of those responsible.
"I have huge admiration for those within our community who put so much of their time into projects such as the Christmas Lights - including the annual switch-on event.
"But there is also a very small element responsible for selfish and cowardly vandalism like this.
"I hope the culprits are tracked down and held to account for their actions."
The lights were disconnected and removed from the area promptly as a matter of safety, and the group do not intend to re-erect the Christmas tree lights this festive period.
The lights will now be assessed to see if they are damaged beyond repair or if they may be reparable, with either outcome causing an early blow to the budget of next year's festive display.
