AFTER another national lockdown was announced, the town council and volunteers in Liskeard rallied to make sure the town would have its Christmas light display.
The Lights Up team do a fabulous job every year, but due to Covid, were struggling to raise funds, and so the Town Council had come on board a few months ago to help, said Councillor Simon Cassidy.
Meanwhile after the second lockdown was announced, suddenly there was uncertainty hanging over the ability to physically get the lights put up in the town centre. Usually this task would be done over two days in November, but with just a couple of days before the tighter restrictions were due to come in, a decision was made to mobilise a small army of volunteers with 24 hours notice to get at least some of the lights up before Thursday’s lockdown began.
Working in the dark, the committed group spent several hours stringing up the lights in Fore Street, Pike Street, Baytree Hill and Pig Meadow Lane, and making sure connections worked.
Alongside the Lights Up team led by Martin Gilbert, Neil Tucker and John Gliddon were Haydn Saunders, and Cllrs Simon Cassidy, Nick Craker and Dave Ambler. Roy Davey provided the telehandler at short notice and Daddios provided food and drinks to the team.
“We are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing community spirit here in Liskeard, and I am extremely proud of the Lights Up Team who gave up their time at extremely short notice to ensure our town will shine during the Christmas period,” said Cllr Cassidy.
“Huge thanks to everyone involved”
A remote “Lights Up” will happen with no public gathering on November 28, but residents are being encouraged to make lanterns and put them in windows and on doorsteps on the evening.
The Town Council is running a competition for children and lantern photos should be sent to [email protected] by November 27.
A beacon will also be lit at the top of St Martin’s Church on the Lights Up evening.
A just giving page has been set up to support the Lights Up – anyone able to contribute should visit