Community raises money to fund Christmas lights in Bovingdon

Residents and businesses in Bovingdon have raised £3,000 to go towards the village’s display as part of Bovingdon Parish Council’s High Street Christmas Lights Appeal.

The fundraiser was set up on the October 23, through digital collecting platform Collection Pot, with the village surpassing its £2,500 target within two weeks.

Donations were received from many locals in addition to the numerous businesses that have sponsored the 16 lamp posts in the village.

There have also been significant contributions from local companies IHP Ltd, Bell Farm Poultry Farm, local building contractor Chay Hedger Ltd and Kings Ace Cars.

There was no official lights switch on event this year due to Covid-19 but the lights went live on Sunday, November 29, at 5pm, with two parish councillors in attendance.

Parish Council lights co-ordinator, councillor Alison Gunn, said: “The parish council is delighted that our wonderful local community has stepped in to make sure the Christmas lights will again be on display in Bovingdon High Street this festive season.

“Because of the Bovingdon location of ITV’s Dancing on Ice studio, we usually have a celebrity skater to perform our lights switch on.

"This year is different of course, and we don’t have our usual Christmas street fayre either.

“This is the third year of Christmas lights in Bovingdon and we were thrilled to reach our target so quickly.

"The Collection Pot stays open until the 6th January and the money left in the pot will go towards the Christmas lights for next year.”

Collection Pot is used to create virtual pots, raising money for every kind of occasion, both at work and home, and is also proving a popular way for charities to fundraise as there are no charges for gift aid processing and no monthly fee to appear on the site.