Tain poised for Christmas lights switch-on and winter market
A ROSS-SHIRE community will welcome the coming of Christmas this weekend with a lights switch-on and outdoor market.
Tain Gala Association, Tain and District Development Trust and Tain Community Council have teamed up for the Saturday, November 30 event centred around the High Street and Rose Gardens.
The lights switch-on will be carried out by Mandy Rhind and grandchildren Cohen, Archie, Amelia and Theo at 5pm.
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That will be preceded earlier in the afternoon by a Christmas market and a performance by the Northern Lights Choir around 3.30pm and a visit from Santa and the Cairngorm reindeer at 4pm.
The community event from 3pm promises refreshments, arts and crafts and Christmas shopping.
Mandy Rhind is the widow of former councillor and community stalwart Alasdair who was closely associated with the gala association and lights switch-on.
It’s a poignant time for the town which will also see Tain and District Development Trust (TDDT) close its doors for the last time after Saturday’s Christmas market.
As previously reported, chairman Dave MacDougal said the decision by the Trust Board to wind up the organisation had not been taken lightly.
He said: “Uncertainty about funding means it is not possible to plan future initiatives. Closing now will allow us to use available funds to meet existing financial commitments.”
The group was formed in 2017, funded mainly by Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish & Southern Energy (Beatrice Fund), boosted by money raised from community events it organised.
Over the years it has played a pivotal role in the community, leading and supporting various projects and events including the renovation of the Picture House, branding the Easter Ross Peninsula as a visitor destination and the development of the Easter Ross path network.
It provided meeting spaces for local groups and organised popular events like the monthly summer markets, community festivals and pop-up shops.
During the Covid pandemic, the Trust and its volunteers provided meals on wheels for vulnerable people, produced and delivered a weekly newsletter, gave community grants to help small groups and organisations get back on their feet and delivered an activity pack to all primary aged school children in the district.
Mr MacDougal said: “The board would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers, community members, and businesses whose contributions and support have helped bring all these initiatives to life.
“The Trust is immensely proud to have served Tain and the surrounding areas and remains deeply grateful for the support shown by the community.”
Weekly health walks set up by the Trust are continuing.
