JCB helps village to light up Christmas

DIGGER giant JCB has spread some early festive cheer in one of its neighbouring villages by handing over £250 to help pay for a Christmas event.

The Rocester-based firm has served up the funding boost to Denstone Village Hall Committee, which is busy planning its annual Christmas Lights extravaganza which this year takes on the theme of hit musical, The Greatest Showman.

Now in its 19th year, the village welcomes hundreds of visitors to its spectacular light show and firework display in the village centre, which is a highlight of the community calendar.

Village Hall Committee member Susanne Smith said: “It started as just a small affair but has grown into something the whole village now really enjoys.

“My son, Peter works in sound and lighting and devotes many hours of his spare time designing and making the sets to make sure we have very impressive displays.

“The whole event is free of charge for the community, and even though the work is all done by volunteers, it is expensive for a small village to host. While we hold fund-raisers throughout the year, the sponsorship from JCB will be a big help.”

This year’s lights switchon in Denstone will take place at the village hall on Sunday, November 18, at 6pm.

Holding up a giant JCB cheque for £250 are, from left, Denstone Village Hall Committee members Dennis Parker and Susanne Smith, volunteer Pete Smith, committee manager John Etherington and chairman Nancy Turner