A SMALL working group has been set up by Launceston Town Council to focus on the Christmas experience in the town.

Deputy mayor, Cllr Dave Gordon, suggested the working group would allow the council to focus more on Christmas events in the town, spreading the burden from just a small core of people.

He said: “Launceston Town Council has been and will continue to be hopefully one of the main, if not the main contributors to the Christmas experience in Launceston.”

Cllr Gordon suggested that the town council set up a small working group to plan and produce a Christmas event, and incorporate the lights, the switch on, Santa and the ice rink (self funding).

He said he was commending, not criticising, the chamber of commerce, but by doing this, they could relieve the chamber of a big chunk of work.

“I don’t think that it’s fair to expect one person from the community to organise an event of that size. We are here for everybody in Launceston, young and old. The Christmas lights bring a lot of joy to many people in the town.”

Cllr Sam Allen was supportive of the proposal, adding: “I feel that the town needs to promote Christmas more.”

She felt that there was a gap between the light switch on and the Heart Christmas market, providing an opportunity for the council to fill it.

Mayor, Cllr Margaret Young said: “I think co-ordination is the key word here.”

Cllr John Conway suggested the group be chaired by Cllr Gordon, due to his experience of running the carnival, adding: “I think it’s a great idea. We need to start this now. Cllr Gordon has the experience in this sort of thing. Last year it took an awful lot of effort from the people that were running it. When it comes, there were not an awful lot of people doing the work.”

Cllr Young said: “I think Cllr Gordon was earmarked for the job.”

The members of the working party were chosen — the town clerk, Christopher Drake, and Cllrs Gordon, Young, Allen and Helen Bailey.