The community group, Stanhope Christmas Lights may only be concerned about the festive season but members have been hard at work throughout the year.
Group members were manning a stall at Stanhope Show to not only publicise the work they do but also to fundraise. Founded originally as Light Up The Dale ten years ago with its aim to help villages in Weardale into the festive spirit by funding and maintaining Christmas lights and trees. As all the villages are now covered, the group concentrates on Stanhope.
Every village in the Stanhope Parish bar Eastgate whose residents supply their own festive lights was aided by the group in the beginning.
Members of Stanhope Christmas Lights – all volunteers – meet regularly all year round on the second Tuesday of every month. The Chairman is Joan Carrick, the present Chair of Stanhope Parish Council and she took her turn to man the stall at Stanhope, encouraging visitors and locals alike to try the tombola and learn more about the group.
The tent they used was purchased by Believe Housing, which also provided the group with a PA system for use at the annual switch-on at Stanhope, which also features Stanhope Silver Band playing Carols. Funding is needed to pay for the Public Liability insurance that covers all villages taking part.
Lee, the owner of ITS, an electrical company based in Frosterley acts as technical advisor to the group free of charge. The Stanhope tree is provided by a local shooting estate.
This year, the switch on event at Stanhope will take place on November 28. Last year, Santa Claus arrived to join in the fun on the back of a link box and hopefully he may do so again this time.
More details to follow.
