Light Up Cambourne: Christmas Switch On event
Statement from Light Up Cambourne regarding Christmas Switch On event.
It is with regret and disappointment we announce that there will not be a Cambourne Christmas Light Switch-On Event held this year (2022), or for the foreseeable future.
Light Up Cambourne is a totally voluntary committee of Cambourne residents and simply, we now are so few in numbers that the huge task of organising and running an event on this scale is simply beyond us. Whilst we are grateful for the vital support of the Town Council in helping the event happen, even with combined man power this is not enough.
Whilst we noted the positive atmosphere at last year’s event after an enforced COVID-break we were disappointed to receive a minority of negative comments afterwards which combined with the sheer exhaustion felt following a very busy event organised with skeleton crew made our committee seriously question the desire to continue at all.
Ultimately, we did decide to continue and have spent this year fundraising for the usual lights display along Broad Street most residents have become used to seeing each year. This still costs in the region of £4,000 and that money goes towards buying new lights, maintaining them and equipment to allow the Town Council Grounds Team to display them.
So the lights will go on this November as usual, but with no fanfare.
As a committee we will continue to invest in this display and our plans to extend this to other parts of Cambourne are in discussions with Cambridgeshire County Council (hopefully from next year) so more residents can enjoy the lights at Christmas. This is a long term plan and we are grateful to those who continue to support our efforts with that through attending our fundraising events throughout the year which will include another bingo night, a body shop event and a virtual Santa’s grotto before the year is out.
We know we are not alone in crying out for volunteers, but – if Christmas is your thing and you have some time to spare, we’d love to have you. And who knows, if our numbers increase maybe we will be able to all gather on the Market Square to celebrate the start of Christmas again one day.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact our chairman Tim Willett on lightupcambourne@gmail.com