Christmas Lights in Castlebar

Castlebar Chamber of Commerce are once again co-ordinating the erection of Christmas lights in the town. Work has now commenced on this project. However, the proposed new lighting and piped music system which had been planned for Castlebar will not be installed for this Christmas due to the delay in having funds put in place. It is planned to commence work on this scheme early in the New Year.

In the interim the Chamber has planned to erect lighting features at strategic locations around the town with some financial assistance from Castlebar Town Council.

Unfortunately this year there will be no strand lighting spanning the streets, as the existing lighting is outdated and unsuitable for use.

Castlebar Chamber encourages all businesses to make a special effort to light up their own premises this Christmas. In support of this, the Chamber will organise an awards scheme to recognise those businesses which have made the greatest effort. Details of this scheme will be announced next week.

Castlebar Chamber of Commerce would like to remind everyone that the closing date for receipt of nominations for the 2^nd Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Award is Monday December 1^st 2003. The winner of the first award was Jackie Loftus who received a specially commissioned silver sculpture, exclusively designed by renowned Irish artist Seamus Gill at an awards ceremony last month.

The aim of the Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Awards is to acknowledge people who demonstrate a keen commitment to improving the world in which we live. The awards programme honours those people who have made a positive difference to their community in any one of a number of ways for example;

• Those who have made an effort to improve their local environment
• Those who have introduced or supported an educational or safety initiative in their local area
• Those who have set up groups or participate in organisations that benefit members of the community
• Those who volunteer their time to help others in the community

If you know somebody in your area that deserves recognition for the efforts they have made in their local community you can nominate them by filling in a nomination form. These are available in The Chamber Offices, Spencer St Castlebar or The Vodafone Store, Main St, Castlebar. Nominations can also be submitted online by logging on to www.vodafone.ie .The closing date for nominations is Monday 1^st December 2003