IT is still some six months away - but Kirriemuir Community Councillors are already looking forward to Christmas!
On a warm, summer's night last Wednesday, members gathered in Fairlie House to discuss a range of issues, and start planning for the festive season.
Chairman Roland Proctor said that last year's switch-on of the lights in the town proved highly s
uccessful, the lantern procession from Northmuir School adding to the occasion.
"However, I feel we need to orchestrate the event a wee bit better, and it would make sense to start this process sooner rather than later," he commented.
Community councillors agreed to the suggestion of forming a sub-committee to co-ordinate the annual event, and to look into what lights may need replacing.
How much the community council is able to do on that score depends on the availability of funding as, unlike other burghs, Kirriemuir can't rely on much in the way of match-funding from its common good kitty.
Mr Proctor said that, despite constraints, Angus doesn't do too badly when it comes to support from the local authority for festive lights.
"Here in Angus we are extremely fortunate, when compared with our neighbours," he explained.
"Next door, in Perth & Kinross, for example, communities such as Alyth don't get any help with the costs of festive lighting. They have their own committee, responsible for erecting, maintaining and dismantling the lights each year."
His comments were supported by Councillor Iain Gaul, who said the fact that Angus Council spends something like £184,000 on festive lighting each year compared with the next highest, Stirling, at £50,000, puts things in perspective.
Mr Proctor said that raising funds for new lights wasn't easy.
"I recall when we initiated a fund-raising drive to improve our lights the end result was fairly limited.
"In the current financial climate it's asking a lot for businesses to stump up hundreds of pounds as a contribution to the lights.
"We have some funds and will continue to do what we can, but, first of all, we need to look at what needs to be replaced."
The community council agreed to invite the organisers of the lantern procession to the July meeting of the community council, with a view to getting into gear with the forward-planning.
"Hopefully, we can put together a sub-committee to co-ordinate this year's lights switch-on ceremony," concluded Mr Proctor.
