AS the festive season approaches, the Lions’ Club of Tavistock is offering people once again the chance to sponsor a bulb on the Trees of Light in memory of a loved one.

Last year, the Lions Club of Tavistock decided that, due to problems with the old lighting system used on the Trees of Light on Tavistock Town Hall, it was time to change.

It invested in a new set of lights that consisted of just over 2,200 small sealed LED bulbs, a type that is used extensively for Christmas lighting by many local authorities and designed to withstand the vagaries of the English weather.

The club was delighted with the appearance of last year’s trees and the feedback from those who had sponsored bulbs was positive.

The ‘switching on’ by Lion president Paul German will be at 7pm on Thursday, November 30, the day before Dickensian Evening on December 1.

The lights are sponsored by individuals or families in memory of a departed loved one or a good cause with all the proceeds going to charities which this year will be CLIC Sargent, Marie Curie and Parkinsons UK.

The ‘switching on’ will be followed by a short interdenominational service led by the local clergy and during the evening the Lions will be serving hot drinks and mince pies.

This will be the 19th year that the Lions’ Club has organised the trees and since it started just over £90,000 has been raised in sponsorship and gift aid rebates from HM Revenue and Customs and distributed to local charities.

For the 14th year, local funeral director Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd will be the main sponsor covering all of the costs ensuring that everything raised is given to the nominated charities.

Lion John Noblet, the main organiser within the club, said that he was pleased with the continued support from Morris Bros the Times for publishing the sponsorship form, South West Lakes Trust which again has kindly donated the trees and also Tavistock Town Council and staff for erecting the trees.

People who participated in 2016 will receive a letter asking if they wish to do the same this year and if anyone else would like to become a sponsor, they can obtain a sponsorship form by contacting Lion John Noblet on 01822 616481 or by email at [email protected] Alternatively, download one from the club’s website at www.tavistocklions.org.uk or buy a copy of this week’s Times.

To ensure that the club is able to reclaim the tax, it is important that the UK tax payer completes the form and also writes the cheque.

This year, the club has set up a Just Giving page which will enable donations to be made online by going to www.justgiving.com and searching for the Lions Club of Tavistock with UK tax payers ensuring that the Gift Aid box is ticked.

A full list of donors will be published in the Times with each one receiving a commemorative card in the New Year.