Herald Express (Torbay, Brixham & South Hams Edition)
Christmas wish is to give town new lights
ANEW initiative to give Brixham the best Christmas lights in the west will be launched when the port holds its Lanterns, Lights and Luminations event on Saturday.
Vicky ‘Vix’ Pritchard-Davies and Neil Worrell have started the fundraising themselves with contributions reflecting their own illness and personal loss. Both from Brixham, they are behind the Lighting Up Brixham plan to bring new Christmas lights to the town in time for the festivities next year. Neil said: “Our goal is to help create and fund the best town lights in the West.”
They are encouraging interest in creating new Christmas light designs in and around the central harbour area and key shopping streets.
He added: “The initiative is for both individuals and busi- nesses and we are working closely in conjunction with Brixham Town Council who have overall responsibility.
Ideas include new sponsored lighting panels with fish and crab designs.
Deputy town clerk Linda McGuirk, who manages the Christmas event for Brixham Town Council, said: “Our Christmas event is for the community and we are delighted to be working in partnership with such passionate community-minded people who want to continue to develop the work the town council has achieved to date.”
Vix, who already has experience organising Fishstock and BrixFest, will be responsible for organising sponsorship and co-ordinating business involvement. She said: “I’m excited to do something for the town and people that I love the most. We will succeed because we have such a positive vibrant town.”
Vicky was recently diagnosed with cancer and has already raised £1,000 for the venture. Neil was widowed in 2017 and has matched this sum with £1,000 recently raised from donations in the name of his late wife Jackie Robinson.
They have set a goal of a further £5,000 to be raised in support of the venture.
A website with full details of the venture has been launched www.lightingupbrixham.com and there is also a ‘Just Giving’ crowdfunding page under ‘Light Up Brixham’. The deadline for the public fundraising is the end of July 2019. There will be a launch stall outside The Old Market House at the Lantern Parade on Saturday. The day’s events include street food, market stalls and live entertainment commencing at 1pm, a lantern parade at 5pm and a fireworks display and Christmas lights switch on at 6pm.