Christmas-loving communities refuse to let the lights go out.

displays: People rally round to ensure festive cheer after local authority reduces spending

Christmas lights have started going up as Angus communities take a leading role in their forthcoming displays.

Responsibility for the festive light shows has largely been taken on by locals after Angus Council reduced its spending.

The authority has provided match funding to some communities, and the Arbroath lights campaign received money from the town’s Common Good Fund but the total budget will be a far cry from the £120,000 bill for 2015/16.

Christmas displays have already gone up in Carnoustie and Kirriemuir after successful fundraising campaigns, and Monifieth’s lights will be put up by the council later this month.

The Monifieth appeal was a joint venture between the community council and the town’s Rotary club.

Derek Uchman, a member of both groups, said: “This is the first year Angus Council has withdrawn our funding.

“We set a target of £2,500 and were

“

This has shown that there’s a real appetite in Monifieth for Christmas lights and the annual switch-on event. DEREK UCHMAN

surprised by the response. We didn’t think we would get there so quickly but money was donated from £5 right up to £930 which was raised by a group of kids who hosted a Halloween disco.

“I think this has shown that there’s a real appetite in Monifieth for Christmas lights and the annual switch-on event.”

Mr Uchman said the group was philosophical about the situation.

“It’s a shame that Christmas lights are no longer funded, but I also know that the council is strapped for cash,” he said.

“If they were to give us cash for Christmas lights, then perhaps more vital services would be withdrawn.

“We are quite realistic in where we are at, but it is unfortunate that it has come to this situation.”

He added: “It would have been a shame if Monifieth and the other burghs were in darkness, but it seems the communities just won’t let that happen, which is great to see.”

An Angus Council spokesman said: “Since 2016, when we started to reduce our support, communities have responded with great resolve and creativity to ensure funding for their Christmas lights displays.

“The intention was for local people to take control locally and find the resources for their displays.

“Financial pressures means we can no longer sustain or justify the council’s expenditure for this, but we continue to provide a range of support to our communities to help them deliver their Christmas lighting displays.”

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Christmas lights have been put up on Carnoustie High Street.