Town is branded a ‘disgrace’ as Christmas lights row escalates
UPSET AS SEASIDE RESORT ‘LEFT IN DARKNESS’
HORNSEA has been called a “disgrace” for failing to put on its annual Christmas lights display because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A local resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Mail: “I think it’s a disgrace, especially after the year we’ve had.
“I can’t see where the £8,000 to £10,000 goes, too, that they say it costs?
“Every other town, city and village has put their lights up.”
The woman went on to say: “They’re blaming Covid-19, but there’s no need for people to be up close and personal as it’s outside.
“They should be ashamed to leave the town in darkness at Christmas and cause disappointment to the children.”
The festive switch-on was earmarked for Friday, November 27, but organiser Hornsea and District Chamber of Trade called it off earlier this year, saying that the health and safety of people must come first.
Simon Tudor, president of Hornsea and District Chamber of Trade, has again stressed, as he did at the time of cancelling back in the summer, that it was not an easy decision to make but the right one in all the circumstances.
“We are all volunteers and I can’t put these volunteers at risk by putting the lights up,” said Mr Tudor.
“It would be against all the government guidelines anyway, you can’t have more than two people together and that is for exercise, strictly speaking.”
Mr Tudor said Hornsea only has a limited supply of lights, with the “overheads” put up by a third-party company.
“They make up the biggest part of the display,” he said.
“I’ve been personally involved in the lights for 15 years, and the Chamber has been involved for 30 years, so it’s been a very difficult decision and not something we have taken lightly.
“Other places that Christmas lights up may ing someone, which is a have be paydifferent matter, but we are volunteers.”
The lights switch-on night usually attracts thousands of residents and visitors from out of town and includes seasonal stalls from local charities, late opening of shops and services, and family fun and entertainment.
Mr Tudor had said earlier that between £8,000 and £10,000 was spent on putting on the lights, which included hiring some of the display in, insurances, health and safety, first-aid and street cleaning.
But the usual fundraising towards the lights had been hit by the cancellation of Hornsea Carnival.
Mr Tudor said: “Hornsea Town Council will still be putting up Christmas trees and we will also be illuminating St Nicholas Church and there will be a tree in the churchyard.
“Really, it’s up to the traders to do something in the town where they can and for people to do their bit and make their houses look extra special this year as they are going to be spending that much more time there.”