Just right fir Christmas

Mike Pettit and Philip Coles are looking forward to seeing this fir become Cambridge community Christmas tree.

It was originally intended to be an artificial tree in front of the town hall – but a free, existing fir tree nearby, at the right shape and size, proved to be the perfect, and enduring, choice.

The fir will become the Cambridge community Christmas tree in Victoria Square and will be lit up this Friday.

When the Cambridge Community Board began work on the project six months ago it was intended to have an artificial tree – but then the better option just across the road was identified as one which could be used every year.

“We welcome the community to come down and see the lights switch on,” said Philip Coles, a former Cambridge Community Board member and organiser with Mike Pettit, Julie Epps and Roger Gordon.

It’s been a community collaboration of sorts, with John Davidson’s Year 10 woodwork class at Cambridge High School crafting a giant silver star for the tree, and the Cambridge Cricket Club providing picket fencing to go around the base of the tree.

Funding has come from Cambridge Lions and the community board.

The lights will be installed by Cambridge electricians Steen and Morrow and Waipa Networks will provide the equipment to get the star placed on top and secured in place.

The star will light up each night, along with the Christmas lights.

Coles and former board chair Mike Pettit – who are now Cambridge ward members of the Waipā District Council – hope to make the community Christmas tree an annual event.

More Recent News

News in brief

Candidate withdraws Fabio Rodrigues has withdrawn as a Waikato district mayoral candidate throwing his support behind former deputy mayor Aksel Bech’s second all or nothing bid to be mayor and oust incumbent Jacqui Church. Rodrigues,…

Ten go to conference

Correction: The person pictured at the Local Government New Zealand conference awards dinner was Beca chief executive Amelia Linzey, not Ngā Iwi Toopu o Waipā’s Maria Huata (Kirikiriroa Kaunihera). The News apologises for the error….

Pair bridged the gap

She’s a straight-talking Cambridge farmer and agribusiness consultant with a sharp wit and a love of a good post-game wine. He’s a seasoned grand master from Te Aroha who’s been playing bridge since 1970. Today,…

Lights on at Te Awa

The third edition of Te Awa River Ride’s Light Night will take place next month, as artists continue to add new sculptures along the popular trail. Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust trail manager Sarah…