Welshpool WILL light up this Christmas

Welshpool town centre will be lighting up this Christmas, but an issue over insurance means it is taking longer than normal to put them up. 

Residents have highlighted the lack of action in a week that normally sees the festive lights being erected, and one has even started a petition fearing that they may be a victim of cost cutting after the annual Winter Festival was cancelled due to Covid-19.

But the Town Clerk stepped in last night to reassure us that they will be up, and on, soon.

“Welshpool Town Council will be erecting the Christmas lights as normal in the next few weeks and have always been going to be putting them up,” said Anne Wilson.

“The delay is that although paperwork filled in by the administration early in 2019 states that the eye bolt and catenary wires, which hold the lights up, have been tested there is no evidence that this has ever been the case.

“Therefore, to comply with our insurance requirements and the licence we need to apply for annually from Powys County Council, we have had to find a reputable electrical company with experience of working on the highways to carry this out at short notice.

“The licence application was submitted late this year due to the selection of the lights erection company which was later than usual due to lack of information available (2019 being agreed before I arrived).

“The testing was carried out last Saturday and 10 out of the 65 eye bolts failed, although we feel that some of these may not belong to us. Lights, where they can, will be put up in the next couple of weeks and turned on shortly after.”

Once erected, the Mayor will switch on the lights with the winner of the Christmas light competition, but this will be done without a crowd due to the current restrictions.

Ms Wilson added that the Rotary Tree of Light will be erected outside the The Royal Oak while another will be at the Town Hall. Children are also reminded that they can post their letters to Santa at the letterbox inside the Town Hall Market and can also design the Mayor’s Christmas Card.

She also highlighted a number of competitions that the Town Council has organised to bring some extra cheer this festive season like shop window competition and encouraging households to decorate their windows with recycled materials or Christmas decorations.

Ms Wilson also refuted social media accusations that they had not responded to enquiries about Christmas from residents. 

“We can categorically state that no calls have been received about the Christmas lights so we feel that this is just fictitious jungle drums,” she said.

“The Events and Tourism Committee minutes show how the Town Council have been making preparations for Christmas and can be found on the Town Council website,” she said.

“During these unprecedented times it is essential that we do something good for the town.” Information on all the competitions and letter to Santa can either be found on the Town Council  Facebook page, website or call Kim on 01938 553142.