Help make Christmas in Melksham one to remember! Volunteers needed for town’s spectacularlight display

THE Melksham Christmas Lights team is appealing for volunteers to help prepare for this year’s display.

Melksham’s Christmas lights display has attracted huge praise from the community and surrounding areas over the years – last year’s display was hailed as the ‘best in the West’.

However, the volunteer group has expressed its concern that they might not be able to match last year’s display due to a lack of volunteers, and is calling on the community to help.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Peter Reynolds said, “Over the past years Melksham has been very fortunate to be able to light up the town for Christmas. This has been due to Paul Weymouth (Lights Fantastic), Alan Weymouth and a small group of willing volunteers who, in the past, have managed to produce a very remarkable light effect throughout the town, with the main point of interest being the magnificent display in the Market Place.

“Regretfully various things, health and old age in the main, are starting to take its toll. Our small band of (mainly retired) ageing volunteers is shrinking and we are now struggling to get everything ready to start decorating the town.

“This year, with the exception of the Market Place, there may not be the usual amount of lights around the town or across the roads due to the lack of people to help direct traffic, or generally hump, dump, lift and shift equipment or climb ladders.  

“So, the Melksham Christmas Lights Group is appealing for helpers to assist in making the town look good – there is a lot to do.

“Therefore anyone who can spare a few hours to help on a Sunday between now and the switch-on at the Melksham Christmas Fair, at the beginning of December, will be made most welcome. 

“Electrical knowledge is not essential as the majority of the lights connect together through a plug/socket arrangement (although the knowledge of how to safely wire up a domestic 3-pin plug would be an advantage). The ability to safely climb ladders would also be a great help. 

“Think of the ‘Brownie points’ all you young mums and dads will get from your children when they can brag that their parent helped get Melksham shining bright for Christmas.”

Interested volunteers should contact Peter Reynolds on 01225 703171 (leave message on answer machine), or by e-mail to: www.peter.reynolds2@mypostoffice.co.uk 

Picture: Crowds gathered in their thousands for last year’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-on.