Last year, the Ross Christmas Tree, which is given to the town by the Rotary Club, was not the shining beacon of festive cheer everyone expected, as the lights had been vandalised.

Luckily dozens of local people purchased, or donated baubles to decorate the tree and there was a wonderful sense of community achievement as young and old added their decorations to the tree. The tree was really something for the town to be proud of and its fame spread far and wide, despite the wind and rain doing its best to spoil the effect.

Once again this year the Rotary Club has purchased a tree and Ross Town Council has bought several sets of new lights.

There may not be the same need for people to decorate the tree themselves, but Katie Fowler, who organised the decorating last year is thrilled several organisations have come together to ensure that it can happen if people want it to.

She said, “Last year it was just an idea which grew, this year we have had to plan it a little more to be aware of health and safety.”

Ross Fire Crew will be helping to put the lights up this year and when they visit the Market Place as part of their safety awareness promotions in the run up to Christmas, they will rearrange any decorations if necessary.

Katie has said she will check every day to make sure the baubles used are shatter proof and safe. She asks that if people wish to add to the tree, can they do it carefully and use non breakable baubles.

She knows that the Christmas Shop opposite the Market House in Broad Street will be stocking shatter-proof baubles especially.

Stuart Ross of the Rotary Club told the Gazette, “We don’t want to stop people having fun, we just ask them to be careful.”