New lights add festive touch for Temuka

A dozen new blue and white Christmas lights along Temuka’s main street have attracted varied reactions from residents.

The $15,000 project to replace the former string of coloured bulbs along King St, were made to order in one colour – blue.

Each light has the same twin koru design and a small star and the opinions of residents spoken to were mixed.

Lisa Stevenson thought they looked nice at night but could have had a bit more variety.

Jessey Heather was not impressed as she did not consider blue a festive colour and described them as ‘‘boring’’.

‘‘It’s like there’s no Christmas in Temuka. In Timaru you feel the spirit as it’s bright and Christmassy.’’

She said with the blue colour it felt like just another day.

Another resident Mary Rose

Grant said she was happy with the colour. ‘‘They’re very nice.’’

Business owner Mr Moon thought the lights were ‘‘exceptional’’ and did not think Christmas had to be ‘‘about red all the time’’.

Temuka District Lions charter member Sally Woodhead said the Lions-initiated project was in partnership with the Temuka Community Board and Timaru District Council. The club had raised money towards the lights through opening houses decorated with a Christmas theme as well as general funds. ‘‘They’ve improved the town.’’ The uniform nature of the lights was chosen after some reflection on what the festive season meant to Temuka and because it was considered they looked better being all the same, Timaru District Councillor Paddy O’Reilly said.