The Town Council were told on Monday (April 13) that the switch-on for the Christmas lights was lacking funding and that the lights themselves may have to be replaced soon at a five figure cost.
At the last full council meeting of her term as Town Mayor, Councillor Marian Hannaford-Dobson said: “If this is going to be a continuing success, we’ve got to make it viable – so there must be charges.”
Councillors voted to take up Wiltshire Council’s offer to organise the Christmas market on the day of the switch-on – and this could provide some cash towards the Town Council’s costs.
As to the replacement of the lights – with an LED system – councillors agreed that fundraising should start soon. Councillor Alec Light, who is one of the organisers of the car boot sales on the Common in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, offered to organise more such sales to help pay for the lights.
And the Town Team are to be asked to support a campaign to raise the necessary funds.
