Helensburgh's Christmas tree all set to sparkle this festive season
(From Helensburgh Advertiser)
THE centre of Helensburgh will soon be lit up in full festive fashion thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers and businesses.
Last week the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust (HFLCT), which has organised the town’s annual display for more than a decade, took delivery of a 35-foot Christmas tree donated by Luss Estates.
The green giant has been playfully nicknamed Douglas and is now standing proudly in Colquhoun Square where it will be decorated by trust members.
At the end of October, the Advertiser reported that Argyll and Bute Council has scrapped its provision of Christmas trees to communities across the region, leaving doubts over whether or not Helensburgh and Lomond villages will have a display this year.
Vivien Dance, from the HFLCT, expressed her gratitude to local volunteers and businesses who provided their service free of charge to ensure that those fears were unfounded in Helensburgh, at least.
She said: “The tree arrived on Billy and Robert Sharp’s low loader last Thursday, having been felled first thing that morning, accompanied by Ross Stewart, Louis Kane and David Spraggs from Luss Estates.
“‘Douglas’ was then unloaded by Chris Landless from M&T Builders Merchants and then Gerald Johnstone and Alistair Todd of West Coast Cutters worked their chainsaw magic to size and trim the trunk so it would slide into the holding cavity below ground level.
