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Plans for Stranraer's Christmas Lights

STRANRAER and District Chamber of Commerce are backing plans for Christmas lights for the town.

Said chairman Ronnie Bowie "The disaster of last year's lights must not be allowed to happen again and that is why we must all work together".

And he also appeals to members to do their own thing with personal lighting at their shops with a prize going to the best.

His statement comes in the chamber's latest newsletter to members.

In it, Mr Bowie appeals for generous support for the campaign.

He told members "Christmas is upon us and as you have read in the 'Free Press', Councillor Scobie is trying to raise enough money to give us a real show of lights this year.
"So please give generously so that he can raise a large amount of money".

He revealed that the use of the Millennium Centre had been offered free of charge for an auction and any meetings about the lights.

"In the past, the Chamber has contributed many thousands of pounds towards lights with individual members donating large sums.

"The disaster of last year's lights cannot be allowed to happen again. That is why we must all work together".

Mr Bowie said Dumfries and Galloway Council would have to show better management of the lights and money raised in future and not look to Stranraer's Common Good Fund to pick up the bill as happened last time, or the business community to continually give.

"Our rates contribution is giving us less services each year and at some point the line has to be drawn and questions asked.