ON behalf of the Pickering Christmas Lights Group, I would like to thank everyone who braved atrocious weather conditions and turned out to support the switch-on on November 29.

The entertainers, David Swann, the Minster Strays Morris Dancers, Stape Silver Band, the junior school Singing Squad, Father Anthony for blessing the tree, the mayor Councillor Lovejoy and Ryedale Lions for their assistance with Santa.

Just as importantly, the residents of Pickering whose efforts ensured that we had a good crowd to sing carols and cheer as the lights went on.

Of course, the weather meant that the Christmas market was a much reduced event, but we thank the stallholders who did come along including Pickering Rotary and Sweet Charity. The weather also made it difficult to run amplification safely and no one is more aware than me of the impact this had.

However, the festive spirit shone through, helped no doubt by the guzzling of mulled wine and the eating of huge pork and stuffing sandwiches.

As ever the people of Pickering donated generously to support the lights and we were very pleased to have MHA as main sponsors showing their commitment to the town.

I would also wish to thank everyone who made the lights happen which, this year, included Pickering in Business especially Matthew Wilkinson of TV House and Neal Armstrong of Trailblazers; it is great to have the involvement of this developing business group.

Thanks to Bruce Pickup for his fundraising quiz, to John Waind for looking after the electrics and to Paul Sawdon and John Skaife for their help with the tree supplied again through the Forestry Commission. Also to The Chocolate Shop who donated the amazing raffle prize and gave a very excited start to one young man’s Christmas.

Underpinning the Christmas Lights Group for many years have been two local couples who will hate me for what I am about to do next.

Without them none of what has been achieved in improving and extending the lights and switch-on event over the last six years could have happened, they have been the rock on which everything has been built. So a very special thanks to Anne and Arthur Winzar and to Barbara and Barry Todd, genuine unsung heroes.

For the first time in many years the weather was against us on Saturday, but the Pickering spirit came through and the town looks lovely in its festive attire.

Again thanks to all and looking forward to doing it all again next year – just get in touch if you would like to help.

William Oxley, Pickering

 

Lights difficulty

THE lights switch-on was organised by Malton and Norton Chamber of Trade with myself as principal organiser. My thanks to David MacDonald and the three helpers from the Talbot Hotel who acted as stewards and assisted with setting up and dismantling the stage, etc.

The lights have been put up this year by Malton Town Council who have had great difficulty with the contractor who was very late starting.

This delay did not distract from the fun the children and parents had on Friday night when the lights around the Market Place were switched on by Santa as planned.

Denys Townsend, Malton

 

Renewable energy

WHERE is our local democracy now Kevin Hollinrake?

Your government doesn’t like cheap low carbon onshore wind farms and so cuts subsidies and gives local communities the opportunity to stop them in the planning process.

It does, however, like polluting, disrupting, climate-changing fracking for gas and so it continues to give subsidies in the form of tax breaks.

If local communities object, then too bad – just take the decision-making back to central government as the people of Lancashire have just discovered.

The Government also doesn’t seem keen on giving local communities the chance to have their own energy projects. It has withdrawn tax relief on such schemes yet still maintains tax incentives for big-business oil and gas exploration and huge subsidies to support the nuclear industry – even now supporting the Chinese nuclear industry.

Instead of losing so many jobs by cutting tariffs for solar power, they should be fully supporting our renewable and energy-saving industries and the thousands of jobs that this would create.

Glyn Wild, Swinton

 

Bicycle lights

PLEASE, please, paper delivery boys and girls, it would be good to see bicycle lights on these dark mornings. Put it on your Christmas shopping lists along with a high-visibility bib.

Alan Coatsworth, Norton