14 December 2006 00:00 Central Networks lights up Lincolnshire communities for Christmas
The villagers of Heckington and Corby Glen will be celebrating a brighter Christmas this year thanks to local electricity distribution company Central Networks.
Parish council officials in Heckington received a £2,500 grant from the company, which is part of E.ON UK, to replace their Christmas lights and decorations which are currently 25 years old.
The parish of Corby Glen received a £1,000 grant to purchase new low voltage lights that will be displayed in the Market Place.
Central Networks offered a total fund of £35,000 to parish councils across central England to light up communities and they received almost 300 applications.
Central Networks Customer Operations Manager Phil Wilson said: “The spirit of Christmas is obviously very much alive within our region’s parishes and it’s great to be able to spread some cheer through our Christmas lights and decorations fund.”
“We were really impressed with all the entries but Heckington’s really stood out. They currently have one single string of lights that are very old so we were delighted to be able to offer them the grant for new lights which I’m sure will brighten up the village at Christmas.”
“Corby Glen’s application wasn’t far behind but, sadly, not everyone can be awarded the full grant.”
Trevor Page from Hecklington Parish Council said: “We’d like to thank Central Networks for its grant. The new lights will make a real difference and will go up around our village green.
“In the past our display has been a little limited and we’re thrilled that this year we can offer the community a better display with more lights.”
Heckington’s local MP Douglas Hogg said “This is excellent news for Heckington. The new display will really brighten up the village and help the community celebrate Christmas. It’s great that Central Networks has been able to help and the grant will make a real difference.”
The company, which serves 4.9 million customers across central England, launched the competition for the first time last year. After the success of the first campaign, Central Networks offered an extra £10,000 this time around to benefit even more parishes.
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Photo Opportunity:
The Heckington Parish Council Annual Carol Service and Christmas light switch on event will be held on the Village Green at 5.15pm on Friday 22nd December.
An official switching-on ceremony will be performed by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Richard Higgs. Douglas Hogg, MP will also be attending.
Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity and is a company of E.ON UK. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
•Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
For further information contact:
Ellie King on 02476 183678
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer