Sadly Kendal Town Council are, despite strenuous efforts, unable to hold a dedicated Christmas lights switch-on event this year. A combination of factors following on from the difficulties experienced last year have meant we are unable to put together an event. Finding a second location to hold the family orientated event has proved difficult and we have been unable to secure partnership funding leaving only a very small budget insufficient to hold an event of this size with all the associated costs.
We hope to have a symbolic switch on of the tree and lights in Market Place as darkness falls on Saturday 16th November (4.45pm) involving the Mayor of Kendal, Town Crier and Father Christmas with a choir from a local organisation.
Cllr Shirley Evans, Chair of Christmas Lights Committee said “I would like to thank everyone involved in trying to secure a dedicated switch-on event this year. Sadly it has not proved possible and we are disappointed. We are though improving, as we do each year, our lights display which is fully funded by Kendal Town Council. We will have new lights in Wildman Street and at Kendal Museum, enhanced lights on Finkle Street and we hope to have small lighted trees in holders along Highgate and Stricklandgate”.
The Mayor of Kendal, Cllr Alvin Finch, said “Naturally I am disappointed. I hope the town can come together and support a switch-on event next year where we work together in partnership as it is not an event the Town Council can run alone. I hope some of you will still join me on Saturday 16th November in a simple switching on of the Christmas tree and town lights.”
The Town Council would welcome any input on how we could hold future switch-on events and we are open to any suggestions.
