Volunteers are seeking donations from the public to ensure Lindley’s Christmas street party can go ahead again this year.

Lindley Christmas Evening, which is free to attend, has previously been funded by Kirklees Council but budget cuts mean organisers are making an appeal for help.

Lindley Community Group has set up a crowdfunding page and hopes to raise £2,100 so that the event can take place on Tuesday December 3.

If it goes ahead, the popular festive shopping event, which usually attracts thousands of people, will take place on Lidget Street and will see local shops staying open late.

Lidget Street will be lined with stalls run by independent producers and retailers, offering a wide range of handmade and craft goods. There will also be food and drink on offer, including hot roasted chestnuts, mince pies and hot mulled cider.

Visitors will also be treated to entertainment and music at the event, including a performance from Lindley Infants School Choir. The event also hosts a Christmas grotto at Lindley Clocktower.

Lindley Community Group is a volunteer-run, non-profit community organisation which promotes and organises community events including the annual Lindley Carnival and Lindley 10k race. The group also fundraises for charitable causes.

 

 

Lindley councillor Cahal Burke, who chairs Lindley Community Group, said: “We need the help of our fantastic local businesses and community to save Lindley Christmas Evening again this year.

“In previous years, the event was funded with council funding. However, Kirklees Council’s current financial situation means that we now receive little funding from the authority.

“It’s a free event and we don’t charge families to attend but it means that we reliant on the community’s support.

“Lindley Christmas Evening is always hugely popular. It attracts people from Lindley and visitors from outside the ward. Lidget Street is vibrant and there’s a great togetherness when we hold the event. It’s a fun event aimed at families to celebrate the start of the festive season.

“Lidget Street would need to be temporarily closed in order for the event to take place, so the funds will be used to pay for the street closure, for traffic management, stage and speaker hire as well as stage and street entertainment.”

Clr Anthony Smith, secretary at Lindley Community Group, said: “The village is bustling with a huge range of quality independent shops, so it would be fantastic if the event can go ahead.

“Visitors would be able to benefit from late-night shopping in a relaxed no-vehicle zone, with lots of great food and drink, fun and entertainment for the family.

“If it goes ahead, Lindley Christmas Evening will also support Lindley businesses and traders. This is important, as they’ve experienced huge pressures and challenges in recent years.

“Covid-19 had a devastating impact on small business due to the restrictions, lockdowns and uncertainty. However, local traders have also had to contend with surging inflation, competition from online retail and energy price hikes.”

Lindley ward councillor Ashleigh Robinson said: “The cut to community grants from the council means that the Lindley Christmas Evening is at risk this year, so we’re calling on the local community to provide their support to make it happen.

“We are hugely grateful to anyone who is able to donate, as the donations will help to ensure that the event will go ahead. We welcome small and large donations from local businesses, as well as Lindley residents and visitors.”

Donate at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-lindley-communitys-christmas-street-party

 

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