A WARNING that Lochmaben could be “plunged into darkness” at Christmas time has been issued.
Vice-chairman of the burgh’s gala committee Lisa Hall stressed that the group are at their limit with low numbers and need extra people to help out with the lights around the town at Christmas time.
The group are set to go again this year but concede they need more people from the area to step forward to the task.
Lisa — who brought the issue to Lochmaben’s Community Council on Monday night — said: “We’ll do it again this year but if we don’t get extra people to help then it’s highly likely that Lochmaben will be plunged into darkness in 2025.
“There’s only ten of us on the committee. We spend the whole year planning the gala, the lights, Christmas markets etc.
“We held a public meeting at the end of January and only two people attended outwith the gala committee. Another two would’ve come to donate the Christmas trees but were unable to.”
Lisa also pointed out that recent negative feedback about the switch-on event and the lights has been hard to take, since they are all volunteers.
She added: “Some people who live in the town are quick to criticise us on social media but aren’t actually putting themselves forward to volunteer hours.
“We know the tree wasn’t in great shape and had seen better days.”
Responding to the feedback, Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson said: “I think the gala committee do an amazing job. The switch-on event is great and I always thoroughly enjoy it.
“For the hours you guys put in volunteering, I’ve been disappointed to read the comments on Facebook because they are totally unfair.”
The group are looking for donations for this year’s lights and have set up a fundraising page to help Lochmaben sparkle. The community council have agreed to donate cash to the committee every year.
To also donate visit: www.gofundme.com/f/lochmaben-christmas-lights
