Melksham Christmas lights critic joins the team

A LOCAL man who criticised the town’s Christmas lights has decided to join the team of volunteers who light up Melksham each year.

The Melksham Christmas Lights team dedicate many hours each year to ensure that the town has what many believe is the best lights display for miles around.

However, Ross Lakey wrote to the Melksham News in early December saying that he had moved to the town from Calne whose Christmas lights he described as “tasteful” and “elegant” in contrast to Melksham’s display which he said reminded him of a “travelling carnival and have nothing to do with Christmas!”

When his letter was published, it sparked a huge uproar from many readers who wrote in condemning Ross for his harsh words, saying it was a slap in the face of the volunteers who give so many hours to brighten the town over the festival season.

The response from Melksham News readers prompted Ross Lakey to admit he was wrong in his comments and he expressed a wish to join the team of volunteers that serves the town every Christmas.  He said, “Boy did I get it wrong! Sorry to all the volunteers who did a great job with the lights in Melksham, my comments were a bit out of place and not in keeping with the festive spirit of Christmas. I apologise to anyone who took offence to my comments and recognise all the hard work and long hours that was put into making it all happen. If I can help this year and if they’ll have me, then  please sign me up.”

In response, organiser of the lights team Paul Weymouth said, “I am delighted to welcome Mr Lakey onto the team and hope that we can take his thoughts on board and use it to improve the lights and make it even bigger and better next year.  We are always looking for new volunteers and fresh ideas so welcome anyone who wants to sign up. We need people to help with planning, as well as the putting up and taking down of the lights”

Ross Lakey replied, “I’m pleased they’ve let me join their team, and am looking forward to making a positive contribution. I hope to bring a fresh pair of eyes allied to bringing some new ideas to the table. When I saw the readers’ reaction in the paper I was slightly horrified and embarrassed! Although everyone should have the right to freely express their opinions, perhaps my comments were a little out of place, especially during Christmas, but never meant to insult the hard working volunteers. I’d just like to thank Paul Weymouth for readily accepting me onto the team.”

The Melksham Christmas Lights team is to host a public meeting at the Assembly Hall on Wednesday 22nd January at 7.00pm. The meeting is open to everyone as the team looks for volunteers to help in any way possible.