Let there be lights in Cromer

Volunteers have begun their weekend work parties to make sure Cromer’s Christmas goes with a sparkle.

Sunday sessions see hi-vis helpers giving up their time to string festive illuminations around the streets.

The town should see them for the first time at a planned switch on event at 5.45pm on Saturday December 4, Covid restrictions allowing. But the work begins a long while before that.

Cromer Christmas Lights spokesman Paul Whittingham said: “We begin at the start of October to give us a bit of leeway if the weather is bad, and we don’t work during half term because the streets are too busy.”

The 30-strong team drawn from all walks of life spends virtually all day hanging the lights using a cherry picker, having had the strings and feature lights checked by a trained electrician.

The lights cost around £3,500 to £4,000 to run – with power, replacements and maintenance, plus insurance and are fitted to professional standards.

Paul praised the town council for its £2,500 grant and traders who support the lights – especially last year when they were still put up despite the pandemic but lack of an official switch-on meant tombola and raffle income was lost.

Donations from traders and the public are welcome and can be made at a collection point in the Upstairs Downstairs gift shop.