Town Left in Dark: Christmas Lights Cancelled Over Cost

Machynlleth will be without its traditional Christmas lights this year as the Rotary club has reluctantly withdrawn its support. The decision stems from a significant escalation in installation costs proposed by the council. The club stated they were quoted an "unacceptably high" price of £1600 plus VAT for setting up the lights, a stark increase from the £400-£500 previously charged.

Further compounding the issue, the club reported that half of the lights failed to illuminate last year. This was attributed to electrical conditions within the lamp posts to which the lights were connected. The Rotary club, which owns the lights and has invested in their improvement, expressed dismay at the situation.

Club representative Mr. Hennighan lamented the potential impact on festive cheer, noting that other nearby towns like Newtown and Welshpool will proceed with their celebrations. The absence of lights is expected to leave local shops and small businesses in the dark, negatively affecting the town's seasonal atmosphere.