AFTER 35 years of loyal service, 2015 will be the last that Donald Rooke co-ordinates Okehampton’s Christmas lights — with Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade now on the lookout for his replacement.

The chamber of trade is responsible for the town’s Christmas light display each year, putting up the lights, changing faulty bulbs as they arise and raising thousands of pounds in funding each year to ensure a great display. Donald has been at the heart of that effort for 35 years alongside a team of volunteers.

This Christmas will be his last as the chief organiser of the lights. The chamber is asking people interested in getting involved to step forward to take on the role or help in any way they can to ensure that the town has a light display in 2016.

Donald said: ‘After 35 years we need someone younger to come on board and have some new ideas. From our volunteering team we may have a couple of guys to take it on but I don‘t want to speak for anyone.

‘There is a lot of organisation to be done and a lot of work going up and down the ladders, changing the bulbs that need changing. You have to start thinking about it in June and July.

‘You do it for the town, to keep it looking good at Christmas time. Okehampton does have a good reputation and I am sure whoever does it will continue that.’

Donna Tombs, chair of the chamber of trade said: ‘Donald has been wonderful in the role and done his stint. I am sure he thought long and hard about it before deciding this was his last year but rightly so, he deserves a break from it.

‘Unless we can find a replacement for him though, it will be very difficult to put the lights on next year. Hopefully we will find someone or a couple of people to take it on.

‘During the Christmas season it does require a bit of time to keep it ticking over. Bulbs go out and “take down the whole tree”. Donald told me that happens at least twice a week when the lights are up. There is also the fundraising to do to cover the cost of lights each year.’

Funding is proving a problem for the chamber too. They need to raise £8,500 for this year’s display due to wear and tear on the lights.

Donna Tombs said: ‘If we cannot raise that money before Christmas the chamber will have to fund the shortfall. That would leave us very little for 2016.

‘We don’t know if we would be left with enough to cover the 2016 lights so we need as much help from the community as possible to fundraise and replace Donald to ensure lights for next year.’

If you can help in any way e-mail okehamptonchamber@ gmail.com or call in to Donald’s Menswear on Fore Street or Rockin’ Beads in Red Lion Yard.