Town Council Christmas lights & location of town trees.

2020 is the first year of a new Christmas lights contract managed by the town council to provide lights in both Burnham and Highbridge.

The council agreed to step-in to provide and manage a new lights contract when both Highbridge and Burnham chambers were unable to continue to do it. The new festive designs are intended to enhance the street scene and will bring a number of changes, one of which is the siting of one of the 20ft town Christmas trees in Burnham.

Sam Winter, Town Clerk says, “Covid 19 has meant that there can be no town centre switch-on event in Victoria Street this year and the council has recognised that it should seek to display the town Christmas trees in a suitable public space that doesn’t compromise social distancing. Due to the way the council is funded by the taxpayer, it should exercise caution when using public money to support a business. Councillors therefore agreed not to apply to the new owners of the Victoria Hotel to site the tree on its business premises, or any other business premises.”

The town council continues to provide and install three town trees across the parish; one on the public green adjacent to Abingdon Street, one on the public green adjacent to the Highbridge Community Hall and one outside the Princess Theatre & Arts Centre. 

The tree outside the Princess Theatre & Arts Centre is not intended as a long-term solution and it is hoped that the tree will become a focal point for a public square at a nearby location in the future. 

Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Facey says, “The new owners of the Victoria Hotel have said they intend to continue to display a tree in their grounds and have plans to use it to raise funds for charity. Although the council is unable to provide the Victoria Hotel with a Christmas tree, we will be pleased to assist the new owners in promotion of their charitable initiatives and hope they will enjoy the new lights display decorating Victoria Street.”

ENDS.