Haydock: Public donations help to save Christmas light switch on

With the main Christmas light switch on events in St Helens and Earlestown scaled down this year, the borough's smaller events have been at risk of cancellation due to funding cuts.

Following the replacement of the 'Councillor Improvement Fund' (CIF) with the 'Ward Councillor Grant Scheme', many areas have been struggling to find the money to fund festive events, particularly due to rising installation, storage, and maintenance costs. 

Although the Christmas light switch on was under threat in Haydock, the community has rallied together to ensure that the village's annual event goes ahead on Saturday, December 7.

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A previous Christmas tree lit up in Haydock (Image: Haydock and St Helens in Bloom) Due to the removal of the Councillor Improvement Scheme, public donations have helped to fund Haydock's Christmas light switch on this year, with personal donations coming from the local Green Party councillors, Cllr Paul Hooton, Cllr David Van Der Berg, and Cllr Janet Sheldon.

Community groups such as the Haydock & St Helens in Bloom have also contributed towards the festive event, while an online fundraiser has seen local people chipping in to ensure that their event goes ahead.

Following the money raised by the community, a smaller-scale event is scheduled to take place around the permanent tree at King George V Park on Clipsey Lane.

Starting at 5pm, the event will include a visit from Santa Claus, a performance from the Kings Award winning Valley Brass Band, and a light switch on by Christ Church URC Youth Club.

Newton-le-Willows' Christmas light switch on needed extra donations from local businesses (Image: Newton and Earlestown Community Group) Although the council's Ward Councillor Scheme, which grants individual councillors with up to £2,000, can be used to contribute to festive celebrations, this is lower than the previous amount from the Community Improvement Fund.

The councillor scheme has been used in Newton-le-Willows, for example, but this event also required extra donations from local businesses due to rising costs and the removal of the Councillor Improvement Scheme.

Haydock's festive event will take place next to King George's Playing Fields on Clipsey Lane (Image: Haydock and St Helens in Bloom)Speaking about the event, Cllr Hooton said: "Due to the recent removal of the CIF fund, Haydock faced a bleak Christmas with a little less Yuletide cheer.

"Haydock councillors along with St Helens Green Party and Haydock & St Helens in Bloom have stepped up and provided funds to support Christmas lights at the permanent tree at King George V Park.

"Despite a change in government, we’re still experiencing savage cuts.

"The people of Haydock residents deserve better and have rallied together to ensure that the Christmas light switch on will go ahead!"

St Helens and Earlestown's Christmas light switch on events have also been scaled back (Image: St Helens Star) Previously speaking about the borough's festive events, a St Helens Council spokesperson said: “Christmas trees form an integral part of festive celebrations which we have arranged to be installed in St Helens and Earlestown town centres once again this year through a top-class local supplier as a way of creating a joyful atmosphere for the benefit of residents and businesses alike.

“As in previous years, the council will reach out to partners and contractors working on schemes in the borough in a bid to secure sponsorship to cover the cost of the trees as part of our social value policy.

"Ward councillors can submit applications on behalf of eligible community or voluntary groups for a grant that improves community wellbeing and this can include support for festive celebrations.”