Northumberland village gets Christmas lights display for the first time

A north Northumberland community has raised more than £6,000 to help light up their village for Christmas for the first time.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Scremerston Community Christmas Group was set up in the summer to start raising money for a Christmas light display to try and raise the spirits of the community.

The scheme has not only earned them a Christmas display the whole village can be proud but also the title of one of Northumberland Communities Together’s (NCT) Local Heroes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

NCT was set up by Northumberland County Council in response to the coronavirus pandemic to help ensure residents are kept safe and well through the crisis and to help coordinate and support the voluntary and community sector.

Christmas lights in Scremerston, near Berwick.Christmas lights in Scremerston, near Berwick.
Christmas lights in Scremerston, near Berwick.

The Local Heroes scheme highlights projects which demonstrate community spirit.

The money for the display was raised through a number of raffles, run through the village Facebook group, as well as cake sales and tabletop sales, where restrictions allowed.

Businesses were also approached to sponsor a reindeer in the new display and Ancroft Parish Council also gave a donation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dave Belcher, chairman of the community group, said: “We have never really had a Christmas display in the village, but this year, with everything else that has been going on we just wanted to create something for people to smile about.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support from villagers and businesses and now the display is up the feedback has been amazing. The group has also grown from being just about Christmas to thinking about how we can put on events throughout the year to bring people closer together, when we’re allowed to of course.”

Cllr Veronica Jones, cabinet member for NCT said: “It is projects and groups such as this one which have been so important in supporting residents and communities through this difficult time.

“Everyone involved in the project should be extremely proud of themselves, it is another example of the true Northumbrian spirit of coming together when times are hard.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you know of any other projects or groups who are worthy of being a #LocalHero then send a message https://www.facebook.com/NlandTogether/ or email [email protected]

Read More
Alnwick's Christmas lights in 14 pictures following secret switch-on by little b...

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.