Group steps down from sorting town's festive lights

Volunteers confirmed they would not put up a town's Christmas lights this year, after previously stepping in at the last minute to do so.

Windermere & Bowness Christmas Parade volunteers had sorted the lights for several years but said they would not do so in 2026 due to work and family commitments.

Windermere and Bowness Town Council pledged to put them up in 2024 but complications with logistics saw the volunteers step back in to erect them days before 25 December.

The volunteer group has called for a new team to take over the responsibility, saying: "If no-one comes forward, there will be no lights this year."

One of the group's organisers Nic Hastie said it was a "very tough decision".

She told BBC Radio Cumbria the last few years had been "enjoyable for all of us".

"It's a good thing to be part of the community, it gives you great pleasure when you see the smiles on everyone's faces."

The town council has been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, Keswick Town Council said its Christmas lights switch-on would be held mid-week for costs and safety reasons.

It said the event, usually held on a Friday, attracted so many visitors it had outgrown the available space and the cost of hiring security would be unaffordable.

Mayor Louise Dunn said local people had been dissuaded from taking part as a result.

She said the switch-on would be made smaller and "more traditional".

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