Festive gathering - but not too Claus
Members of Comrie Christmas Lights committee and friends brought some festive favourites to the streets of the Shaky Village with a socially- distanced carol singing session on Thursday last week.
They were accompanied by Father Christmas and Mrs Claus, who also surprised residents of Cameron Court and Dalginross House with selection boxes and fruit bowls and a card from Santa.
Patricia Robertson, secretary of Comrie Christmas Lights, said: “The choir was made up of local people and of course Santa and Mrs Claus
“They did an amazing job, spreading some Christmas cheer – despite the rain and the very soggy song sheets.
“There were some very happy, smiling faces.”
And the pair also paid a visit to Comrie Primary School during the pupils’ Christmas party.
Patricia continued: “Each class came out to the playground separately. They were thrilled to see
Santa and Mrs Claus and they all received a present and had lots of questions for them.
“They were reminded that they had to be sleeping with ‘no peeking’ on Christmas Eve.
“The children have also written letters to Santa and they were due to receive their replies on Wednesday so that will be another surprise for them.
“We have also been running the Comrie Advent Trail around the village, which was won by Robert Bacon. Thank you so much to everyone who decorated their window, displayed a number and to everyone who took part.”
Comrie Christmas Lights committee relies on donations and fundraising events to maintain the village’s colourful displays, but has been unable to fundraise in the usual way this year.
Patricia has set up an on- line funding page at www. gofundme. com/f/comrie-christmas-lights to help with the costs.
She explained: “Comrie Christmas Lights volunteers have had lots of fun and been very busy organising and holding the socially-distanced events in the village particularly for the children and the elderly which we hope everyone enjoyed.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our annual fundraising switchon event this year to raise funds.
“However, we have still had the repair and maintenance costs to pay for our Christmas tree and street lights and also the expenses related to the socially distanced events we have run. Comrie Christmas Lights receive no money from Perth and Kinross Council to buy, repair, maintain or replace the lights. In fact we have to pay them around £1,000 each year to erect them on the lamp posts.
“Any donations towards our funds from groups, organisations or individuals would be most gratefully received.”