LYNDHURST VILLAGE DECORATIONS
Each year, towards the end of November, a small army of volunteers can be seen braving the weather in Lyndhurst's High Street as they erect the village's well known Christmas lights. Decorations for the village were first provided during the 1970's by the Chamber of Trade, who started out with just one Christmas tree near the Fox and Hounds pub. By 1978 the project had grown to such an extent that the Chamber alone were no longer able to manage it and so the Lyndhurst Village Decorations Committee was established, with a membership drawn from all sections of the community. Today, twenty years on, our volunteers are responsible for erecting over a hundred trees, several set pieces and a Nativity scene; the parish church is floodlit and the entire length of the High Street is strung with lights. An estimated 3,000 light bulbs add sparkle to dark evenings over Christmas and the New Year.
The link with the Lyndhurst Chamber of Trade still continues and the two bodies jointly organise an annual Fun Day just before Christmas. Music in the street, events in the shops and competitions to enter make a pleasant outing for the whole family. The day is rounded off with carols and the arrival of Father Christmas, ably assisted by the village firemen.
The Committee's activities are not confined to the winter, however. During the summer months we plant and maintain flower tubs in the High Street area and, since 1996, an annual 'Lyndhurst in Bloom' competition has encouraged individuals to add to the floral display.
As already mentioned, all of this work is done by unpaid volunteers and the money needed to keep everything running is generated by the Committee's fund raising activities. We would love to do more, but man (and woman!) power is in short supply. The 'In Bloom' competition, for example, is at present open only to retail premises, offices and public buildings: with more personnel we could open it to the individual householders who are keen to join in. We would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in lending a hand. There are all sorts of jobs to be done, but people with electrical or building skills would be particularly welcome.
For more information about the Lyndhurst Village Decorations, please contact the Secretary, c/o Burwood, Chapel Lane, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, S043 7FF. Tel. 01703 282468.
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