Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights have now gone up in Epsom's High Street. They are generally similar to those displayed last year. However the familiarity of the scene masks the efforts that have gone on so that shoppers in Epsom can enjoy the spectacle.

In earlier years Colin Taylor and other Lib Dem councillors pressed the RA led Borough Council to ensure that the High Street was decorated for Christmas, with varying degrees of success. In most years, the RA councillors took the view that local businesses should provide the decorations, though a good display was achieved one year after Colin Taylor offered to provide funds from his county council discretionary allocation.

Since 2007 RA councillor Neil Dallen has attracted publicity by pressing local businesses for funds. However the display now to be seen only became possible through funds allocated by Colin and matched by two other county councillors. Colin has consistently urged that similar funds be allocated for Christmas Lights in Ewell Village, Stoneleigh Broadway etc, but so far without success.

A new threat has now emerged to the future of Christmas Lights. Under Surrey County Council's new lighting contract the supporting lamp columns are all scheduled for replacement. The new columns won't have power sockets on them for Christmas decorations unless these are specially asked for in advance and paid for by the Borough Council.