THE fundraising and major organisation of the Huntingdon Christmas lights is led by Huntingdon Town Partnership (HTP) which represents businesses and partner agencies across the town (Letters, September 19). Each year it costs in excess of £10,000 to prov

THE fundraising and major organisation of the Huntingdon Christmas lights is led by Huntingdon Town Partnership (HTP) which represents businesses and partner agencies across the town (Letters, September 19).

Each year it costs in excess of £10,000 to provide Christmas lights in Huntingdon.

Grants and donations have come from Huntingdon Town Council, Huntingdon Town Partnership and Huntingdon businesses. The total currently stands at £7,500 with £2,500 still needed.

Of the £10,000, over £6,000 is taken up with the cost of installation and removal, insurance, testing and maintenance.

This leaves a relatively small sum to provide a major community event in Huntingdon's calendar, The Big Switch On, which this year is on Sunday, November 25. Entertainment is provided by many local performing groups, and there are stalls in both Chequers Court (organised by Huntingdon Town Council) and the Market Square (organised by HTP), so there is something for everyone.

With our neighbouring shopping centres in St Neots, Cambridge and Peterborough investing heavily in new Christmas lights this year, we are doing our best to compete. Realistically, new displays for the whole town would cost tens of thousands of pounds and that is beyond HTP.

So come on Huntingdon, where is your community Christmas spirit? We need to raise money to switch on your lights and you can help by buying raffle tickets from HTP, or joining the 500 Club local lottery.

For more details please contact me on 01480 450250 or www.huntingdontowncentrepartnership.co.uk

KATY SISMORE, Manager, Huntingdon Town Partnership