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Caerphilly town centre’s Christmas lights have been switched on ready for the festive period

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual event to mark the lights switch-on didn’t go ahead.

The lights were turned on at 4pm on Friday, November 20.

The Christmas lights switch-on is organised by Caerphilly Town Council, which provides the funding for the lighting.

Caerphilly Town Council’s deputy mayor, Cllr Huw Jackson, thanked fellow town councillors Phil Bevan, Colin Elsbury, James Fussell, Simon Morgan and Steve Kent, who helped with the lights switch-on.

Cllr Jackson added: “Must also mention Elsbury Lifts for installing the lights and Richard James on the electrics – both of whom went beyond the call of duty.

“Thanks are also due to Marika Jones, Castle Court Shopping Centre manager, for co-ordinating the switch on of their own display with the Town Council.”

Christmas lights competition

Van Community Council recently launched a Christmas lights competition.

People living in the Van Community Council area, which covers Castle Park, Lansbury Park, Porset Park and Mornington Meadows, can take part in the Cheer up and Light Up for Christmas competition.

Prizes will be up for grabs for the best Christmas lights display.

Operation Santa

Caerphilly County Borough Council has launched its annual Christmas gift appeal – Operation Santa.

Operation Santa aims to provide Christmas gifts to children in the borough most at risk of not receiving presents.

However, unlike in previous years, the appeal will be unable to accept gift donations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, the council is appealing for residents to donate vouchers and gift cards worth up to £10. Social workers who are in direct contact with the families will then use these to buy gifts.

Meanwhile, another Christmas appeal, also called Operation Santa, has been set up by residents to give every child in Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen, Graig y Rhacca and Waterloo a Christmas ‘goody bag’.

The group will be holding raffles to raise money to buy the gifts – which they say could cost around £3,000.

The idea has since spread to other parts of the borough.