Chatteris Christmas Lights committee looking to track down those who have switched on the display over the years

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Chatteris Christmas Lights committee, and celebrations are being planned to mark the occasion.

The volunteer-led organisation has chosen a child from a local school each year to switch on the lights, and this year it is hoping that they will all come together for the switch-on.

Unfortunately, record-keeping hasn’t been the best in the past, and the committee only has the names of 11 of those who have turned on the lights and would like the others to come forward.

They would also love to hear from previous volunteers who have helped with the lights, visitors’ stories and any old pictures so the museum can put together a wonderful display detailing the history.

The lights display was started in 1985 by a small group of residents who, for some years, had been putting lights on the horse chestnut tree in front of the church.

Over the next ten years, decorations appeared on more and more buildings with lanterns criss-crossed between lampposts throughout the town centre.

Now, the lights continue through the voluntary organisation, which relies on grants and public donations to enable the displays to go ahead. The cost to replace the current display would be more than £200,000.

To get in touch email christmaslightschatteris@gmail.com