Tree of Joy ready for big switch-on
ONE of the tallest light trees in the world took shape on Saturday, as 32 lengths of festive lights were strung up on to the Weighbridge roundabout mast.
In total there is about a kilometre of light cables, which will be illuminated from Thursday.
It is the landmark to remind islanders about the Rotary Club of Guernsey’s Tree of Joy campaign, where islanders buy gifts for children who would not otherwise have gifts this Christmas.
Rotary president Brian Acton said the installation of the light tree had been going smoothly and it was a great way to remind islanders.
‘We want to make sure we are meeting the needs [of children at Christmas] and there is no doubt those needs are increasing,’ he said.
Initially the campaign had been marked by the Christmas tree on the roundabout, but since 2005 lights have been strung up the 30-metre tall flagpole.
Marine & General and a team of Rotary volunteers were involved with the installation on Saturday, with Father Christmas and one of his elves also dropping by to help out.
All the lights were tested before being installed, although if one string does fail, it will not knock the rest of the lights out. Nine of the strings had to be replaced this year.
The weather conditions are tough on the equipment, with wind being a big problem.
Tree surgeon Charles Vaudin was on hand on Saturday to help secure the light strings to reduce how much they swayed.
It had been planned that the lights would go up on Sunday morning, when there is less traffic around the busy roundabout. But the lights have to be installed when the wind is less than a force five, and Mr Acton said that with Saturday morning’s light winds, they had decided it was safer to do it on Saturday.
The light tree is sponsored by Butterfield, PWC and Guernsey Energy.
The lights will be switched on at 6pm on Thursday, as the first late-night shopping event takes place.
