The Guild Dumfries C.I.C is over the moon to find out that Dumfries & Galloway Council have chosen them to be the lead partner to deliver the Christmas Lights Switch On in Dumfries. They will be responsible for organising the whole shebang not just a Christmas Makers Market at this years event on Sunday the 1st December.
Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee welcomed the decision. He said;
“Our Council is delighted that The Guild has agreed to organise the Christmas Lights Switch On in Dumfries this year as part of their Christmas festival. It is a wonderful family-friendly day and is very much the wake up call that many of us need to start the Christmas planning, when the lights go on in our wee toon. I look forward to working with The Guild on this project, and hopefully others in the future too.”
The Guild wants to create a Christmas Festival at the Light Switch On, which will take place around the whole of the town centre. A makers market, events, entertainment, performance, music, workshops and activities will be happening not just along the High Street, but in other premises and side streets too. The Guild hope that both retailers and businesses throughout the town get behind this community festive extravaganza and stay open late on the day and invite them to get in touch if they wish to discuss ideas. They would actively encourage and support any other activities and fringe events that the town centre businesses wish to host by signposting these to visitors on market day.
Leah Halliday, a Director at The Guild said “We feel it is extremely important they also take advantage of the increased footfall expected in the town on the day to encourage the message of Shop Local. We have many superb businesses located in our town centre and we wish them to benefit from this festival experience and share in the overall sense of community and the benefits of working collaboratively together.”
The Guild organised an extremely successful makers market last year. The response from the community after the event suggested a strong desire for a Christmas Makers Market to continue. The Guild are keen to build on this previous experience so they can create a festive celebration and an even bigger Makers Market this year. Applications are now open for their Makers Market at this event and they are on the hunt for the perfect mix of makers, creatives, food & drink producers and street food vendors. The deadline to apply is the 15th September at midnight with lots more details on their website.
John Martin, Vice Chair of Communities Committee commented;
“This is another fantastic example of partnership working between our Council and the local community. The Switch On event is one of the busiest days in Dumfries with up to 5,000 people attending. I am sure The Guild will be incorporating their own unique brand on the event and would like to thank them for taking on the event.”
The Guild want the event to be a true community affair and are keen to collaborate and work in partnership with other organisations, businesses and community groups, to play a lead role in delivering a memorable festive experience in Dumfries town centre which will be enjoyed by all.
Kirsten Scott, one of the Directors at The Guild said “We are arranging a meeting in the near future to discuss ideas and consolidate a plan, but if anyone is interested in getting involved, sponsoring, donating, helping us to fundraise or would love to volunteer some of their time to help us, then we’d love them to get in touch”
Website: https://www.theguilddumfries.org/
