Illuminating plan for The Bank unveiled by Barnard Castle Christmas lights committee

IMPROVING the festive displays on The Bank is the number one priority of the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights Committee.
Chairman Roger Peat told the group’s annual meeting it had been disappointing they were unable to get new displays up in time for last December.
“We need to work on that for next year, but it’s a learning curve for all of us,” he said.
Mr Peat said highlights during the last year had included getting power to the Galgate greens, wrapping lights around two trees and setting up a tree of remembrance, which attracted 34 baubles.
Mr Peat thanked all committee members for helping with fundraising efforts, which had included curry and race nights as well as a summer ball. The end of year balance saw the committee with more than £6,000 in the bank.
Mr Peat said the group needed to monitor its finances closely.
“We need to look at our costings in greater detail to know what our annual revenue costs are, to know what the one-off costs are and know how much we need to raise,” he said.
“We need to go into greater detail so we know where we are going.”
Mr Peat was re-elected chairman on the group. Angela Grady stood down as treasurer and Sue Smith was elected in her place. Sam Brown is secretary and Phil Crichton the group’s press officer.
Mr Peat said the committee could still do with one or two more members.
“We can have up to 15,” he said.
Mr Peat has also been invited to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, May 23.
He said he did not know who had put his name forward, but thought it may be to do with the Christmas lights committee’s work.
“The Lord Lieutenant came through, saw the lights and said how good they were. I think the only reason I have got this is down to the lights committee. It can’t be for anything else I have done.”
Mr Peat, who is well known for tending the floral displays around Barnard Castle, said he would relish the chance to look at the plants and flowers in the Buckingham Palace garden.