Blown a fuse

CHADDERTON town hall, before the lights went out

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Riddle of damage to Chadderton lights

THE centrepiece of Chadderton’s stunning Christmas lights display has been wrecked after allegedly being turned on without permission.

And Chadderton Area Committee will have to fork out several thousand pounds to replace the illuminations on the town hall because no-one has owned up to burning them out.

Since 2001, volunteers have raised around £80,000 to extend the town’s Christmas lights each year, with most of the money coming from the area committee’s budget for good causes.

They are among the best in the borough and about 800 revellers attended this year’s switch on.

The lights on the library, taken down by the council each year, were not put up because they were damaged, while those on the town hall, which are not taken down after Christmas, are not working.

Councillor Philip Rogers, community champion for Chadderton, confirmed both sets were working when tested in September.

It is not known how the library lights were damaged, but a council worker is repairing them in his own time.

The town hall ones were burnt out and people have reported seeing them on during the day in recent months at the building, which is the borough’s register office and a function venue.

Councillor Rogers said both function management and the register office had denied responsibility, but an investigation has been launched after the lighting box control was found to be used for storage.

The area committee will have to pay to replace the town hall lights and Councillor Rogers said: “I feel absolutely gutted.

“We have worked so hard on this.”

The town hall lights were new two years ago and Michael Lawson, a member of the Christmas lights sub committee, said: “I am very angry we have to replace them because obviously somebody unauthorised has been switching them on. We have seen the lights on.

“We are very disappointed.

“After all the hard work we are embarrassed by the public comments at the lack of lights.”

Councillor David Hibbert said: “As an act of goodwill the council should get the lights repaired, get them up and sort out the cost later.

“There needs to be an investigation to find out what happened.”


...But there’s joy as High Crompton’s lights go on

THE picturesque High Crompton Park is all aglow with festive lights after a spectacular switch on.

Residents young and old threw themselves into the Christmas spirit and came in large numbers, despite the icy weather.

The Christmas tree provided the focal point, while local children, wrapped in their winter woolies, enjoyed fun and games in the snow.

The St Mary’s school band were also on song, providing a rousing musical backdrop with the traditional sounds of brass.