15 December 2006 00:00 Central Networks lights up Northamptonshire communities for Christmas

The parish of New Bradwell will be celebrating a brighter Christmas this year thanks to local electricity distribution company Central Networks.

Parish council officials in New Bradwell received a £2,500 grant from the company, which is part of E.ON UK, for Christmas lights along their high street for the first time this year.

Central Networks offered a total fund of £35,000 to parish councils across central England to light up communities, receiving almost 300 applications to the competition.

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 New Bradwell’s really stood out. It was clear that the money would really make a difference and life the community’s spirits at Christmas time.”

New Bradwell Parish Council’s project worker Sophie Thompson said: “We’re absolutely delighted. Without Central Networks’ help we would have had no lights this year at all.”

Local MP for New Bradwell, Mark Lancaster said “This is very exciting news for New Bradwell. The new display will really brighten up the area 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.

Ends

Photo Opportunity:
New Bradwell Parish Council officials will be joined by a representative from Central Networks at 5.30pm on Tuesday 19 December 2006 on the High Street for the official presentation of the cheque for £2,500 and their Christmas lights display.

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
Rebecca Middleton 02476 183677
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer