BUDE’S late night shopping and Christmas lights event on Friday has been deemed a great success.

There was something for everyone with Santa, music, singing, food stalls and more.

Organiser, Annie Winsland said: “It was lovely. It was really lovely. We were so lucky with the weather. It was a good turnout.”

Unfortunately, some of the town’s lights recently stopped working, but Friday evening was a chance to light up Bude again.

Annie added: “In Bude we do get quite a hefty wind, being coastal. The lights have just got to an age where they’ve been battered and can’t really work. It was great to see it lit up for one night but people said we need to get together to brighten up Bude. The shops do their bit, they’ve individually put up a tree. It just really needs a concerted effort.”

But spirits were not dampened on Friday — quite the opposite. Bude Rotary Club organised Santa to travel through the town on his sleigh, and a steel band followed.

A large number of children and adults joined in with the procession, holding lanterns and glow-in-the-dark balloons.

There were musical performers and food stalls in the Triangle, and entertainment was provided by a number of local groups.

A Winter Wonderland was held at the Wharf, organised by the Bude Farmers and Craft Market, including an area that children could write a letter to Santa.

Annie said: “It had a real community feel. Everybody came together and there was lots of music and singing.”

The first meeting of the new group will take place tomorrow (Friday) at the Gregson Centre with more meetings planned. Much focus will be on fundraising, with some emphasis on teaching local people how to apply for grants.

Anyone wanting to get involved is asked to email Annie in the first instance at [email protected]