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Brodick Christmas lights were switched on last Sunday afternoon by young Freddie Bunyan in a ceremony at the village hall.
This is the seventh year that Brodick seafront has been illuminated by simple but effective Christmas lights attached to the council-owned lamp standards.
In 2002 Brodick Improvements Committee made a concerted effort to raise the necessary funds to purchase these second-hand lights. With the help of a grant from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise the committee was able to get enough lights to stretch from the golf club all the way to the pier.
Treasurer Harry Davidson said: ‘There must have been well over 300 people from all over the island who turned out to see this first time spectacle of Brodick seafront being lit up in 2002.’
Robbie Brown, chairman at the time, said: ‘What a great achievement by a small village on a small island on the west coast of Scotland and what a tremendous community spirit Brodick Improvements Committee events have generated.’
Last Sunday an equally large crowd turned up in Brodick Hall for the annual event. Mulled wine and mince pies were on offer and Arran Brass band members played seasonal music from the hall stage. Children were entertained by such activities as writing a letter to Santa, cookie decorating and face painting.
A table groaning with raffle prizes was gradually emptied as the lucky winners came forward and then it was time for the big switch-on.
Freddie Bunyan’s ticket was drawn out of a hat and the company moved outside to wait for the youngster to light up Brodick seafront. Improvements Committee chairman Ian Small had rigged up a safety switch on a table at the roadside and the countdown from 10 to zero started.
As the festoons of lights flickered into action there were many ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’ from the crowd and a backdrop of snow made the occasion that bit special. Ian Small pointed to an extra light in the shape of a Christmas tree affixed high up on the gable end of the village hall.
He told the Banner: ‘One of the lamp standards was condemned as not fit to put the decorations on this year, so we put it on the hall wall instead.
‘It will be a beacon for anyone going to a hall function over the festive season.’
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