A STAGGERING response has seen Buckie’s old and worn Christmas lights replaced two years ahead of schedule. The town will look better than ever thanks to the generosity of the community when the big switch-on takes place this Saturday. The original hope when the Christmas Light Committee got to work in June was to raise £24,000 over the course of 36 months – but that initial target has been smashed. Such has been the feedback that £32,000 has been donated already. The numbers involved speak for themselves. More than 50 businesses and groups from around the town have each sponsored a light.
The cash has gone towards replacing 52 lights with new ones, while 36 lights have been repaired and turned LED to save on energy. What’s more, over 60 volunteers have been lending a hand fixing and fitting them. Electrician Andrew Murray, who is on the committee, said: “There’s a lot of people who have a lot of pride in their town. “The community has really come together over this. “Virtually every light in the town – about 95 per cent – will either be new or will have been repaired.” A total of £5000 has also been donated by the community fund associated with the SSE Beatrice offshore wind farm. The lights will be switched on this Saturday at the end of the Buckie Christmas Kracker, which promises a full day of entertainment from 11am onwards. Last year the event attracted 5000 people into town, and amongst the attractions this time round is a Christmas market, a heated Santa’s grotto and a float parade that
will proceed through the streets at 2.30pm. Emmerdale star James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle in the ITV show, will then perform the honours in the main square at 5pm. The festive spirit will continue the next day with a special service which is taking place at South and West Church on Sunday evening from 6pm. Reflections at Christmas will feature the Buckie and District Community Choir who will be singing a collection of carols and hymns. The event, which will include refreshments at the end, is being coordinated by the Buckie Rotary Club and the 1st Buckie Boys Brigade. Money raised from donations during the evening will go to the Buckie Teddy Bears Group.