DICKENSIAN Evening in Tavistock will this year be better than ever, as the town?s chamber of commerce pulls out all the stops in its Christmas fundraising appeal. The chamber last month launched a combined campaign to raise £9,000 to stage a superb Christmas lights display and the popular annual shopping evening. But some town traders have raised concerns that Dickensian night would not go ahead if the fundraising target was not met. Nigel Eadie, treasurer of the chamber, this week reassured residents and businesses that Dickensian night was certainly not in any danger. He said: ?Dickensian Evening will definitely go ahead and we have the money in place for that to happen. ?Dickensian is a really important event, it?s really special and it?s even more vital this year, because of the competition we are already getting from Plymouth?s new Drake Circus development. ?I imagine a lot of traders may have seen a decline in sales because of it and that?s quite natural; people want to have a look at it, and it has novelty value, but Dickensian will be a great platform for promoting shopping in Tavistock.? Mr Eadie said Dickensian Evening cost about £1,250 to stage, as licenses, street closures and street entertainers needed to be paid for. He said the fundraising campaign had got off to a flying start and had already topped the £3,500 mark. ?The response so far has been very encouraging. We have been very pleased by the generous contribution of retailers, businesses and many members of the public. ?One lady sent us a cheque for £5 with a note which just said, ?I love Tavistock and I love the Christmas lights ? good luck!?.? Mr Eadie said it was ?paramount? the town?s businesses pulled together to achieve the £9,000 target set by the chamber ? a tall order for a small town, but one he was positive Tavistock could achieve. And he hoped the multiple businesses in the town, the banks and chainstores, would throw their full weight behind the campaign. ?We have had one bank back us so far, but it is so disappointing when they do not contribute. They clearly benefit disproportionately if they don?t contribute to the lights, but they should realise it?s also good for them to be seen to be part of the community in which they are trading.? The Christmas fundraising campaign has been boosted by the support of town mayor Cllr Caroline Keane and town crier Bob Rose. Cllr Keane said: ?I really feel that it is so important for every business in the town ? and the surrounding area, including the local community ? to dig deep in making whatever contribution they can. ?I would urge everyone to make a contribution, however great or small. I?m sure the town can achieve this target ? it?s the sort of thing that makes Tavistock a special place.? Town crier Bob Rose is due to make a street collection in the coming month. The chamber hopes a further £2,000 to £3,000 will be raised by its Grand Christmas draw. There are a host of prizes which have been donated by local businesses including a 32ins LCD flat screen TV, a magnum of champagne and even a full body massage. Tickets are due to go on sale within the next fortnight.
