SEASON’S PLEADINGS

Residents’ complaints that Dromore is annually ill provisioned have become as much a part of Christmas as turkey dinner and TV repeats.

But with the ever expanding run-up to the festive season no doubt already looming, Dromore In Action is this year set to petition public representatives in the hope of securing additional lighting and decorations.

The group, which has, with local authority grant-aid, taken up the reins of the switch-on ceremony and associated celebrations, means to write not only to district councillors, but to local MLAs and the area’s MP.

“Last year’s was a very poor showing,” said one group member, “what with the state of the decorations and the lights going out.

“Dromore got very bad press for having something like the worst Christmas tree in Northern Ireland. There were pieces on the radio and in some of the papers about the worst and best trees and we weren’t far from the bottom.

“The tree looked like a great stick in the middle of the Square rather than a Christmas tree.

“This year we’re writing to local councillors, MLAs and the MP to ask if something better can’t be done for Dromore, to see if we can get some more lights and make more of a show so that if we get any media attention this year it will be for a good reason.”

Meanwhile, it has been announced that this year’s switching-on event in Dromore will take place on Saturday, November 24.

Dromore In Action is hoping to have a Christmas Market in the Square during the day.

A silver band will be playing during the afternoon and the switch-on event itself will run from 5–6pm.

Santa will be arriving, it is hoped courtesy of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue, to distribute gifts to all the children from his base of operations at the recently re-opened Town Hall.