Westfield Christmas Lights Event to Be Reduced After Complaints

The yearly Christmas lights event in an East Sussex village is set to be scaled back this year following complaints. Organizers reported that residents in Westfield, situated near Hastings, have been decorating their homes with elaborate light displays each December since 1975. In recent years, the Westfield Christmas Lights event, which generates funds for charity, expanded to feature DJs, drummers, a choir, and a tractor run last year. Andy Munday, an organizer, stated: “This year we are just going back to the old way where everyone lights up their houses.” The previous year, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) received complaints concerning traffic, parking, and litter resulting from the event. ESCC Highways additionally informed organizers that obtaining proper licensing and public liability insurance would be required for its continuation. Mr. Munday confirmed that music and entertainment would be excluded from this year’s event. He remarked: “All of that is now being curtailed because we’ve had these whingers.”So this year, we are just going back to the old way where everyone lights up their houses.” Mr. Munday, whose father initiated the light display, noted that their inaugural tractor run last year proved unexpectedly popular. He reported that 75 tractors participated, and the team underestimated the attendance of spectators. He conceded, “We were caught on the hop.” The announcement of a reduced version of the Christmas lights event has generated mixed reactions among local residents. A village business owner expressed that they would miss the additional commerce attracted by visitors viewing the lights. They commented: “It does cause a bit of carnage at times, but it’s good for the village and good for charity, so it’s a shame they are scaling it back.” An unnamed villager stated: “It was just dangerous. “People were blocking driveways. There was loads of litter.”The village isn’t lit, so there’s no street lights. It becomes quite dangerous with a lot of cars parked on pavements and blocking pathways and exits.”It’ll be safer and more enjoyable.” An East Sussex Highways spokesperson commented: “To ensure the safety of the public, anyone wishing to hang Christmas lights over or alongside the highway must apply for the appropriate licence and have public liability insurance in place.“We have not received an application this year for a licence for Christmas lights in Westfield.“Permits for temporary road closures for events are issued by district and borough councils, not the county council.“Sussex Police would be responsible for monitoring the tractor-run convoy.”