Annan High Jinks

High Jinks in Annan!

Do you enjoy dressing in fancy dress?

Parading the down the High Street on a cold and sometimes wet Friday evening in early December evening?

Have you broad shoulders when the light display is criticised?

Then you should certainly be part of it!

The High Jinks consists of a group of fun loving people revelling in their second childhood! However, age is no barrier to joining this unique band of renegades - if you are willing to give of your time and talent and are over 16 - we will welcome you aboard the good ship High Jinks.

The management committee consists of three members with two co-opted members, who attend when their expertise is needed. The switch on ceremony is the culmination of a year’s work – yes, the Christmas lights are not just for Christmas!

The money has to be raised,

funding applications have to completed,

a licence to hold a procession and raffle have to be agreed by the powers that be.

The event has to be planned, this includes meetings with the representatives of the lighting manufacturer – it is a strange fact that most appear to be based in one of our European neighbours, France.

There are meetings with combined Services, who are responsible for putting up the lights, not only in Annan but also in the surrounding towns and villages.

Letters have to be written inviting organisations, individuals, pipe bands, school bands and choirs to attend.

Permission has to be sought to use the Town Hall and the Bruce Car Park.

Then there is Santa to invite, along with his helpers. These are the real stars of the night. This is their very busiest time of year, so it is imperative that High Jinks ensure that he is available on the night in question.

Can you imagine it? No Santa at the Observer Offices – no presents – no yo, ho, ho or happy waves from the balcony. No cheery Children's entertainers for the youngsters to enjoy, as they wait in line to meet Santa? No seasonal songs, like " I wish it could be Christmas every day" or joyous children's choirs singing out the traditional Christmas carols, we all know so well. At the Bruce the procession has to be organised by the Stewards and that can take some doing!

Yet it is all over so quickly – a flick of a switch by Santa, ably assisted by the Young Citizen and the High Street bursts with festive cheer. The tree sparkles into life and the Town Hall shines blue and white.

Yes, it is "Seasonal Greetings from Annan" time again.

The committee collapse in exhaustion and say "Never Again" but of course there is next year ... it is fun, it is satisfying and it is for the young of the town.

High Jinks could do more and would like to do more but in order to achieve that we need more people to become involved. We often hear that so and so town has a regular farmers market. Wouldn't it be great to have a market of some sort in Annan? Or hold a concert or two?

The committee try to keep up to date with the businesses in the town, particularly those involved in hospitality and accommodation.

We meet regularly in one of the cafes, hotels or bars in the town. It has never been our intention to hide away and make decisions in private.

High Jinks in Annan!

So come along ...