Future of Cupar's festive lights in jeopardy

Hundreds of people turn out to the big switch-on every year in the centre of the town.

It’s the culmination of a day-long spectacle featuring a festive market, street entertainment and a visit from Santa.

But the group behind the event says it won’t happen next year unless more volunteers are found.

Cupar at Christmas took over the switch-on event from Fife Council in 2011, but now secretary Jennie Hughes is stepping down and the committee has dwindled in number to just six. Unless more people come forward at the AGM at Cupar ‘Y’on April 18, the organisation will fold and there’ll be no Christmas lights next year.

“It costs £12,000 to put up the lights and we get funding of £8000 from Fife Council’s locality budget,” said Jennie.

“That still leaves £4000 we have to raise ourselves, and although Christmas is still 10 months away we are already planning an event for March.

“If no-one else comes forward we’ll have no choice but to sell off our assets and call it a day.”