Organisers of Burnham’s Christmas lights display have been handed an early festive gift this week, with a cash injection from a local county councillor.
Cllr Mike Facey, who represents Burnham North, has given £1,000 from his community fund towards the growing costs of putting on the colourful display, pictured here last year.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “Many local businesses are having a hard time, so I think it’s important that Burnham should put on a great lights display again this year to attract as many people as possible into the town centre shopping areas.”
Alex Turco, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade, said the donation was “very welcome” and added that it would be put towards the ever-increasing cost of maintaining, insuring and installing the lights.
The total cost of this year’s project, including the switch-on event and insurance, is expected to be just over £7,000.
Mr Turco told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Chamber will spend around £2,500 to put up and take down approximately 65 lights. We’ll also spend around £3,000 on new electrics for 14 new sockets, making a total display of almost 80 lights. The remainder of the budget will go on the switch-on event and insurance.”
While still many months away, plans for the annual switch-on ceremony – which will take place this year on Saturday November 29th at 4pm – are already being discussed.
