May I through these pages thank everybody who has contributed financially and otherwise towards the Bude Christmas lights.

Two years' ago the Chamber of Commerce had the sound idea of putting Christmas trees up on individual businesses as a way of decorating the town. Last year, more went up and this year even more businesses paid to have trees. There were also contributions from local businesses and individuals as well as local organisations and the county council gave a sum.

The local council kindly supplied the cherry picker and I'd like to thank the council chaps who managed to put up a more than fair number of tree brackets and set pieces in the allotted time. We were able to buy a few new set pieces and refurbish all the old ones we could track down.

I think you would agree that there is movement in the right direction. I would like to thank the electrician Stephen Holdcroft who put a lot of effort into getting everything ready on time and Nicky Chopak for providing free insurance for the lights.

Peter Cobbledick kindly lent his barn for storage and we thank him for that. There are lots of other people to thank and if you visit the website in a few days you can get more information http://www.lightupbude.co.uk">www.lightupbude.co.uk where you can also listen to a clip of the Christmas song for Bude.

Chairman,

Bude Christmas

Lights Committee.