Soham gets set for Christmas
IT may only be September but plans are already under way to bring sparkling Christmas lights and festive fun back to the streets of Soham.
The Christmas Event Committee, which organises activities in the town during the festive season, will incorporate an annual street fair in the town centre and a series of Christmas lights in the High Street, for a late-night shopping evening on Friday, December 10.
Last Christmas, due to organisational constraints and lack of funds, St Andrew's Primary School hosted a Christmas event.
But this year, local businesses and organisations in Soham will also get the chance to set up stalls in the High Street free of charge, with the street closed off to traffic.
Strings of eco-friendly LED lights, costing more than 1,000 and paid for by two Soham residents, will help set the scene for Christmas shoppers.
Liz Johnston, chairman of the Christmas Event Committee said the event would be back bigger and better.
"Last year there was a lack of funding and a lack of participation but this year more shops are willing to open and do things," she said.
Three children's rides have also been arranged, which will include a bouncy castle.
Ambitious organisers also hope that, if more money can be raised, the whole of Soham could be lit up, including trees in the churchyard.
Mrs Johnston said that ideas such as lighting up the side of the church were 'ambitious' but could be feasible if funds were raised.
"The sky's the limit. The more money we are able to raise, the better the show" she said.
"We have thought about projecting images onto the side of the church but that, at the moment, is pie in the sky."
Businesses could also have the opportunity to sponsor tree lights in the yard in exchange for advertising signage.
A meeting will be held at the Walter Gidney Pavilion on September 28 so that stall holders can decide whether they would like to take part in the event and to provide a forum for ideas.
The Christmas Event Committee is also appealing to locals who could help raise money to improve the Christmas lights.
For more information contact Liz Johnston by CLICKING HERE
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Friday 25 May 2012
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