A rural Fife community has rallied round to bring some early Christmas cheer to local people and visitors.
There had been fears that Newburgh would have to go without its traditional festive lights after Covid-19 restrictions put paid to many of the events and activities that would normally fund the display.
However, the Newburgh Action Group (NAG) reckoned the town was more in need of a seasonal pick-me-up than ever this year and set to work on finding new and innovative ways to make the switch-on happen.
Volunteers have been selling Christmas face masks and cards featuring pictures of Christmas lights from 2002 to 2019 designed by Newburgh Primary School children.
The town’s own community charity shop also collected money via a raffle, while a Go Fund Me page attracted a large response.
The results of all that generosity were in evidence on Saturday night when the lights were switched on in a socially distanced celebration.
Lynsey Adams, from the Newburgh Action Group, said everybody involved was determined to do their bit to bring the community and local families closer together after such a difficult year.
“The committee works really hard throughout the year to fundraise to cover the annual costs to make these events happen,” she said.
“This year it has been made more difficult with the current pandemic and having to comply with all the social distancing rules for us as a committee to fundraise in the usual way. But in the long run it has made us more determined as a community to show the true meaning of what community spirt is, to be able to put on the annual Christmas lights this year in the town.
“As in the past the Christmas lights in the town bring families together in a feeling of joy, celebration and community togetherness that – with all that has happened this year with the pandemic – has been lost. It will be a light at the end of the tunnel, a new beginning.”
Santa Claus himself made a special appearance on Saturday night when the lights were switched on, with socially distanced members of the community watching as the sleigh travelled up the High Street.
Donations are still coming in to support the NAG’s activities and the Go Fund Me Page can be viewed at https://www.gofundme.com/f/newburgh-action-group-2020-christmas-lights-appeal.
