Nwicker60
03-May-11, 09:43
H.A.P.P.Y sad about demise of street party
BITTER disappointment has been expressed about the loss of Wick's Hogmanay street party.
Regrets were expressed at the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, after it was officially informed that the organisers of the event have been forced to pull the plug on it after losing the struggle for support, for many years.
The loss of Wick’s major event, rivalled only by the opening night of gala week, was lamented by party committee chairman, Wendy Campbell.
She said that, with only two new members answering the committee’s latest appeal for more volunteers to run the street bash, there had been no option but to throw in the towel. Councillor Campbell stressed that there were funds available for any group that wanted to take up the challenge and keep the popular event going.
Councillor Geraldine Durrand, a former chair of the party committee, H.A.P.P.Y. (Hogmany and People's Party Yearly) for many years, acknowledged the difficulty experienced, in keeping the party tradition going, year after year.
She told fellow members, last night: “It was hard enough keeping things going with the few volunteers we had but with even less helpers, this year, it’s definitely a non-starter.
Mrs Durrand continued: “When you see the thousands of people who turn up, enjoying themselves, you would think there would be a dozen or so of them prepared to give a little time to help run it.”
She expressed the hope that the absence of the party, this year, would spark a return of the event next year and continued: “The town and the town centre will certainly miss it. It was hard work but great to see so many families friends and people, some who came home specially, meeting up.”
The community council is to freeze H.A.P.P.Y’s funds, in the hope that a group might come forward to save the party.
If that doesn’t happen, then the cash will revert to the community council as the Hogmanay committee’s parent body.
*Councillor Gail Ross was congratulated on her successful campaign to become a Highland Council representative in Wick Ward 3.
*Scotland TranServe has reiterated that they are unable to honour their pledge to carry out a major drainage scheme which would have run from South Road, Wick to River Street, “in the current financial climate”. However, the roads organisation has said its patching programme in South Road, will continue.
* Members of the community council’s floral baskets committee is to hold a sponsored walk in aid of funds. It will take place on June 5 and take supporters from Homebase to Milton finishing at Market Square, Wick.
BITTER disappointment has been expressed about the loss of Wick's Hogmanay street party.
Regrets were expressed at the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, after it was officially informed that the organisers of the event have been forced to pull the plug on it after losing the struggle for support, for many years.
The loss of Wick’s major event, rivalled only by the opening night of gala week, was lamented by party committee chairman, Wendy Campbell.
She said that, with only two new members answering the committee’s latest appeal for more volunteers to run the street bash, there had been no option but to throw in the towel. Councillor Campbell stressed that there were funds available for any group that wanted to take up the challenge and keep the popular event going.
Councillor Geraldine Durrand, a former chair of the party committee, H.A.P.P.Y. (Hogmany and People's Party Yearly) for many years, acknowledged the difficulty experienced, in keeping the party tradition going, year after year.
She told fellow members, last night: “It was hard enough keeping things going with the few volunteers we had but with even less helpers, this year, it’s definitely a non-starter.
Mrs Durrand continued: “When you see the thousands of people who turn up, enjoying themselves, you would think there would be a dozen or so of them prepared to give a little time to help run it.”
She expressed the hope that the absence of the party, this year, would spark a return of the event next year and continued: “The town and the town centre will certainly miss it. It was hard work but great to see so many families friends and people, some who came home specially, meeting up.”
The community council is to freeze H.A.P.P.Y’s funds, in the hope that a group might come forward to save the party.
If that doesn’t happen, then the cash will revert to the community council as the Hogmanay committee’s parent body.
*Councillor Gail Ross was congratulated on her successful campaign to become a Highland Council representative in Wick Ward 3.
*Scotland TranServe has reiterated that they are unable to honour their pledge to carry out a major drainage scheme which would have run from South Road, Wick to River Street, “in the current financial climate”. However, the roads organisation has said its patching programme in South Road, will continue.
* Members of the community council’s floral baskets committee is to hold a sponsored walk in aid of funds. It will take place on June 5 and take supporters from Homebase to Milton finishing at Market Square, Wick.