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Christmas Decorations - Laura (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:24:49) Is it just me, or does Liphook have the most tacky Christmas decorations known to man? What's wrong with some simple, pretty fairy lights? Instead we have the most hideous red and green monstrosities that look like they were picked up in a jumble sale in 1980! Anyone else think that Liphook could do with a bit of a smarten up?

Re: Christmas Decorations - IanS (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:29:35) My kids think they are great!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather M (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:32:12) Most definitely ! Look at Grayshott , absolutely stunning achieved with a few lights & some imagination . Maybe the Parish council could donate the money they get for those logs to a Christmas light fund! No doubt we will get shot down in flames for having an opinion ! See Christmas lights 2013 Christmas lights

Re: Christmas Decorations - Dave (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:32:34) Did you help pay for them? Did you help put them up? I guess you will answer "no" to both the above. If you are not satisfied I feel certain your help and/or cash will be appreciated by those who give freely of their time and make the most of what is available to them. Merry Christmas!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Di (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:34:47) I have to disagree. My three year old was very excited when he saw them for the first time & loves it every time we drive through the village. It's better than nothing!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather M (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:45:29) Thanks for the link ed! Councillor Robinson stated that the cost of running these lights comes from the public purse . So , we are allowed to have our say ! Thankyou Merry Christmas !

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather M (3rd Dec 2014 - 16:49:44) Yes Dave , we did help to pay for them -from the Public purse (councillor Robinsons words)

Re: Christmas Decorations - David McGrath (3rd Dec 2014 - 17:33:04) do you know what? I get sick of the nockers on this site !talk about negative, if the moaners are not prepared to help out ,or PERSONALLY contribute either financially or labour wise ,then just pipe down! Originally the so called old fashioned lights were paid for by the old liphook chamber of commerce. I know because my business along with other community minded businesses paid for them. Might I suggest that if you prefer the Xmas lights in grayshott you either spend your shopping nights there, or maybe even move there! Stop this negative rhetoric if you are not prepared to get involved. Well done liphook I commend those who bother! Rant over.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Carole (3rd Dec 2014 - 18:02:07) I find such scathing remarks incomprehensible when all the work in maintaining and refurbishing Liphook's lights is carried out by volunteers together with erecting lights in Station Road. Without volunteers there would be no Christmas lights, Carol Singing, carnival, flower gardens and the numerous other benefits that we are lucky to have in our village. Perhaps Laura, Heather and others who sit back and criticise would like to organise a fund for new lights for 2015. Somewhere in the region of £10,000 would be needed to replace existing displays. They could also volunteer their services to the team who work for days in the cold for the benefit of the community. The same people have being doing this work for many many years and I am sure they would be happy to hand over the reins to someone who thinks they can do a better job.

Re: Christmas Decorations - lee (3rd Dec 2014 - 19:04:51) Yep very tacky reminds me of the \'70s but then its not as pretty a village or has as nice shops as Grayshott or Haslemere....

Re: Christmas Decorations - Laura (3rd Dec 2014 - 19:08:20) Yes, essentially we have all paid for them. I just can't believe that some nice, plain fairy lights are much more expensive than some chavy, tacky, Santa heads covered in tinsel. It's no surprise that a 3yr old would love them, it looks like a 3yr old made them. Haslemere looks so pretty... Maybe one day, Liphook will up it's game.

Re: Christmas Decorations - gary (3rd Dec 2014 - 20:33:48) well i just cannot believe some people those of you who complain how do you think the volunteers who clean fix repair the lights feel after seeing such awful comments How much are of your time or money are you going to donate for next years lights? you cant just go to bq and put them up You have no idea of whats involved in sorting something like this out if people carry on complaining will will not have and volunteers ! then you would have something to complain about I suggest in future you think before you type

Re: Christmas Decorations - Kitrine (3rd Dec 2014 - 21:52:10) I would be happy to donate money to up date the decorations, but to whom would one give it too?

Re: Christmas Decorations - k (3rd Dec 2014 - 22:47:41) i think the decs are ok and im not 3... i take my hat off to those who do sort them out and then take their time to put them up for liphook in the horrid weather... some simple fairy lights how are they more pretty then what we have...i know children seem to like what we have... and can i remind you liphook is still classed as a 'village' not a 'town' like haslemere so why should it 'up its game' just yet im sure it will in time...?

Re: Christmas Decorations - Laura (3rd Dec 2014 - 23:08:21) So how come every other village can make it look less tacky? That's great that people volunteer, doesn't make it any more attractive I'm afraid.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather (3rd Dec 2014 - 23:08:55) But they are awful ! Where are the awful comments about the volunteers ?? I can't see any . This is about the lights, they aren't asthetically pleasing at all . No one is complaining about the volunteers !

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather M (3rd Dec 2014 - 23:27:04) www.festive-lights.com/christmas-lights Thousands £££ , really ??! I'll pitch in for a string of these Laura & Lee if you will . That's one tree decorated !

Re: Christmas Decorations - Lee (3rd Dec 2014 - 23:29:35) This isn't to disrespect those that spend their time cleaning,maintaining or hanging them, far from it. All vounteers should be appreciated for what they do in whatever guise. They are not to blame for the style of the lights- its obvious they are very old lights and they have done well to keep them going so long. What has been raised is that they aren't very stylish,pretty or contemporary and do little to enhance the village. You are confusing the issues and being quite aggressive in your tone. Highlights again just as in the front page of the Herald talks about the lack of representation from the young to middle age groups on input on the Village Plan but when we do speak up on village issues the older generation get totally riled. We are entitled to opinions too! We are the future of Liphook after all. Otherwise yes Liphook is an officlal Retirement Village stuck in the dark ages whilst surrounding villages embrace progress, style, trends etc(selectively of course) Am also happy to donate for improved lights for next year. Couldn't every shop have a tin for collections for donations? Catch people now whilst they can see them and they will probably agree its worth the investment for future years and generations.

Re: Christmas Decorations - PL (3rd Dec 2014 - 23:55:44) The Liphook in Bloom team spend hrs maintaining, cleaning and putting up these decorations every year !!! The same few volunteers who work tirelessly to make this village look pretty in the summer and festive at Christmas for very little thanks and so much criticism ......... So very sad !! I for one am very proud and grateful for being part of a village that has individuals so willing to put themselves out on very little resources to make this village a better place !!! Anyone can join the team to give time as a volunteer or as a friend by donating cash on an annual basis THANK YOU LIPHOOK IN BLOOM TEAM !!!!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Allison (4th Dec 2014 - 07:44:18) Thank you Liphook in Bloom Team, I think the lights are fine, and without your efforts we would probably having nothing at all.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Laura (4th Dec 2014 - 08:29:08) Well said Lee! It's absolutely true. Ask for donations and I'm sure people would be more than happy to help. I can't believe anyone really thinks they look attractive. And as Di said, it's nothing against any volunteers, it's purely against the actual decorations. They are ugly. Plain and simple.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Sam K (4th Dec 2014 - 14:21:09) Thank you to the Liphook in Bloom Team for making sure Liphook actually does look Christmassy at Christmas, beautifully Springlike in the Spring, really colourful in the Summer and clearing it all in the autumn ready for next year. They work so so hard throughout the year, it would be lovely if someone had started a thread thanking them instead of being negative about their results.

Re: Christmas Decorations - IanS (4th Dec 2014 - 15:10:15) Laura, you have a very highly inflated opinion of your own taste. By all means you are free to share your thoughts on our decorations but it is extremely arrogant of you to assume the rest of us share your point of view. Thank you Liphook in Bloom for your efforts

Re: Christmas Decorations - Chris (4th Dec 2014 - 17:51:04) I believe Laura is entitled to her opinion and I don’t see where she assumed anything about anyone’s point of view. By the way, Liphook has pretty red and white fairy lights and every year the display gets bigger and bigger….and it is called traffic…. which does take away from Liphook in Bloom efforts, which I ASSUME Laura as I are equally grateful for

Re: Christmas Decorations - Sue D (4th Dec 2014 - 19:00:26) I am sure no-one is decrying the sterling efforts of Liphook in Bloom and all the volunteers who maintain and erect these lights - they do a marvellous job. However, let's give them something decent to work with! Having used these lights for many years, they are looking tired and new style lights would probably be more cost effective to run. Surely the community and local businesses can get together to upgrade them. I would donate.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Holly (4th Dec 2014 - 19:28:33) Think the decorations were originally haslemeres old cast offs and think liphook deserves something new !!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Mandy (4th Dec 2014 - 20:08:59) I haven't been on Liphook Talkback for a while. I am horrified and disgusted, in particular with the two people who have initiated the appalling thread with regard to these christmas lights. Haslemere were going to get rid of these lights until a few amazing people in Liphook clubbed together to achieve a wonderful display for Liphook residents. Without these few there would be nothing - perhaps the young moaners would prefer that. I am extremely proud of my dad and his friends of Liphook in Bloom who tirelessly repair and maintain these lights for the community to enjoy. I have seen them in the sub zero temperatures and wet weather, climbing ladders to replace bulbs and keep them looking good for you to enjoy. I am sure they won't mind me saying these ladies and gentlemen of Liphook in Bloom are no spring chickens and I am sure will be feeling hurt by the comments in this talkback item. All they want to do is make Liphook a nicer place to live, not become the subject of some narrow-minded people who have nothing better to do but complain. Maybe those complainers would like to club together and buy Liphook some new lights, put them up and maintain them - I am sure nobody would be critical!! Christmas spirit is obviously non-existent in some places, but please guys, stop complaining and do something about it!! My rant over, Merry Christmas to everyone and in particular a huge big thanks to Liphook in Bloom and all the hard work you do!!

Re: Christmas Decorations - The next generation (4th Dec 2014 - 23:44:00) Merry Christmas one and all As a newbie to Liphook (2 and a half years) I'd like to think I have a balanced view on things here compared to some. It seems to me that people love to use the forum to have a big old argument whenever possible about anything and everything. What's the point? The lights as they stand are there but they're hardly a thing of beauty. Yes we appreciate that people worked to get them and we're not knocking their efforts but those same people shouldn't take it personally when others want to further improve on the decoration situation. For the matter of a few hundred pounds we could get some really nice bright LEDs on the go that are cheap to run and will last ages. I'm sure I'm not the only one getting tired of the constant bickering on here so let's move on, agree people can have different opinions and let's all have a fantastic Christmas when it eventually arrives. Same goes for most other topics on this forum I.e. We have different views on things Ho ho ho Mr Claus

Re: Christmas Decorations - Dave (5th Dec 2014 - 05:14:24) well said Mandy

Re: Christmas Decorations - sparkly lights (5th Dec 2014 - 07:03:24) led lamps have been fitted to them £500 worth commercial lighting is expensive not just your bq specials dont forget carol service outside anchor soon why not come along and donate merry christmas to all

Re: Christmas Decorations - wendy (5th Dec 2014 - 11:49:50) I suppose all the moaners want bright, white lights? they are everywhere, slung round bushes ,twinkling in porches stuck on the christmas tree, etc, all white all boring, everyone following each other like a lot of sheep because white is 'trendy' Some of us like colour, especially children, that's why the three year old loves the liphook ones. You moaners, just do your own thing, leave the rest of us to do things differently, and enjoy the look of Liphook in it's old Haslemere lights. A friend of mine says they are very much better than the Haslemere ones. There's a very good expression 'You can't please all of the people all of the time, only some of the people some of the time...so true.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Kateine (5th Dec 2014 - 12:57:51) So if we would like to donate, it's to Liphook in bloom is this correct?

Re: Christmas Decorations - liz (5th Dec 2014 - 14:28:06) I like the Liphook light BECAUSE they are old fashioned! Some of the cheap while lights shown in the link above not show up at all on the lamp posts - and I'm sure you would need to buy a much higher spec for public use.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Heather M (5th Dec 2014 - 18:14:18) The White lights above Findlays look beautiful. A simple cost effective way to add a touch of class (proof you don't need to spend thousands on tat) .

Re: Christmas Decorations - steven (5th Dec 2014 - 20:55:57) Hang on before people slate younger people, my son went to try and help with the carnival, and because his face didn't fit, ended up being push away. They have their in crowd and like most places the young people are not given a chance to show what excellent skills some of those have.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Laura (5th Dec 2014 - 22:39:11) It's really funny how many people are getting so uptight about the Liphook in Bloom volunteers... As it's been expressed by all the people who are not in favour of the lights, we all appreciate their efforts!! However, you are also contradicting yourselves every single time you ask us to donate towards getting new ones. That to me says that you agree that they are tacky and old and need replacing... That it's only a matter of cost? And, like those who have offered to donate, I too would be more than happy to spare some £'s to smarten the place up. Half of the lights don't even work!! I should think that many of the volunteers would also be happy to have some newer decorations to work with.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Laura (5th Dec 2014 - 22:45:16) It's really funny how many people are getting so uptight about the Liphook in Bloom volunteers... As it's been expressed by all the people who are not in favour of the lights, we all appreciate their efforts!! However, you are also contradicting yourselves every single time you ask us to donate towards getting new ones. That to me says that you agree that they are tacky and old and need replacing... That it's only a matter of cost? And, like those who have offered to donate, I too would be more than happy to spare some £'s to smarten the place up. Half of the lights don't even work!! I should think that many of the volunteers would also be happy to have some newer decorations to work with.

Re: Christmas Decorations - roo (6th Dec 2014 - 10:49:30) The Christmas lights look wonderful and well done to the liphook in bloom team for once again doing wonderful things in the village. And I'm sure they would appreciate help from some younger volunteers. And perhaps the moaners should go along and help out. BUT THEY WONT

Re: Christmas Decorations - JJ (6th Dec 2014 - 15:00:41) Its great that liphook thas the decorations and people who put in the time and effort to help but you have to admit that they wouldn't look out of place in the 70's/80's, all children would find them great regardless of what they look like. For me they are far from tasteful so will add my comments to this post as it is on here.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Fed up (6th Dec 2014 - 16:37:49) Its easy to say \" I will contribute\" but why doesn\'t one of the moaners who find the decorations in such poor taste actually do something positive like start and manage an organised appeal to raise funds to get replacement lights. Regardless of whether the lights are modern or dated we have some very hardworking individuals in our community who put a lot of effort into doing things for the benefit of Liphook but it seems that there are more and more faceless users of talkback that just like to moan and criticise yet are never prepared to offer anything positive or constructive. Clearly there are people who dislike the current lights and (despite the original posters claim that \" surely no one likes the lights\" ) there are plenty of people that like the lights so clearly this post has run its course and its time to accept no one persons taste is any better than anyone\'s elses on a matter like this, so lets put this pointless thread to rest and get on with enjoying Christmas.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Ian (6th Dec 2014 - 17:42:34) It's clear Laura by your 5 (to date) contributions to this thread that you passionately dislike our decorations. Maybe as you feel so strongly you would like to organise a fund raising campaigne in order to provide funds to buy more 'modern' and 'tasteful' decorations for the village.

Re: Christmas Decorations - TimW (6th Dec 2014 - 18:55:13) Look, no one is decrying the hard work that the Lighting Team spend, and have spent, in repairing the lights, installing them etc etc. All power to their sticky tape and screwdrivers. Long may THAT continue, although with, hopefully, less sticky tape. And forgive my ignorance, as a "newcomer", but what does the Liphook in Bloom Christmas Light Team have to say about it all . Would they not quite like to see some new sparkly LED commercial display lights in town. Maybe not replacing, but as a welcome addition. Would it be less work in the months leading up to the festivities ? Few bulbs to replace, less power to use. We are all having a micro-poke at the decorations, but if we could find a guiding light (sorry about that) then maybe, just maybe, those who are willing to fund can do so through the existing Liphook in Bloom channels. If not, there are plenty of funding web sites to do the job. But, it needs to be so transparent that it needs some sort of official scenario. Everyone, just put "commercial christmas LED lights" into Google. Look at the larger sets; I've chosen my favourites and set aside MY £10 !

Re: Christmas Decorations - claire (7th Dec 2014 - 06:50:38) Im with liz, I love the lights because they have a vintage feel. Thank you to the Christmas elves who beaver away to maintain and fit them xx

Re: Christmas Decorations - Mandy (7th Dec 2014 - 15:17:40) I love these lights too. In case people are not aware, the centre of Liphook is in fact a conservation area. Therefore we have "old-fashioned" street lamps that are in keeping with that fact. Therefore the "old style" christmas lights are also in keeping with that fact. The reason not all the lights are working, I understand is not down to LIB but I think Southern Electric who have not connected the street lamps correctly. Also I think you will find the lights are not held together by take and string, but rather have a complete overhaul with most of the parts being new. Surely an "old fashioned style" does not make things old and tacky? If more people attended the meetings in Liphook to help decide on things like the christmas lights, roads/traffic, planning etc, instead of just bitching about it then maybe things would be more popular and acceptable to a larger percentage of people that live in Liphook. It is true you can't please all of the people, but a majority would be nice, surely? It is wonderful that people want to donate towards new lights, but maybe some of the larger organisations in the village would also like to donate as well? I am sure the cost of new lights for Liphook if that is what is wanted would run into the tens of thousands of pounds - you cant just go to B & Q! There are rules, regulations, legislation, health & safety, insurance etc to consider as well. As with anything else nowadays nothing is simple. Like the bunting for the carnival, putting up the christmas lights in Liphook brings a smile to my face, and for a moment or two I return to being a child and just soak up the meaning and enjoy the moment. As my two year old grandaughter said when she saw the lights "Aaaaahhh!" followed by lots of pointing and smiling. Long may that feeling continue!

Re: Christmas Decorations - liz (8th Dec 2014 - 08:37:37) "LED commecrial display lights" Yuk!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Jade (16th Dec 2014 - 12:20:21) The only decorations in Liphook I seen that look good is Liphook Finlay's flower shop above them are Christmas trees with pretty white lights and residents of liphooks homes!! I agree they are old and tacky makes are village look poor and it's boring to see every year!!! What happend to the white pretty lights outside the anchor on the tree that's gone :(

Re: Christmas Decorations - Woo (17th Dec 2014 - 11:11:11) Why are people so ungrateful for saying comments re old fashioned xmas lights in the village - we ought to be lucky that there are lights available to be put up - people use their own time etc to put them up for the festive season.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Life time Liphook resident (18th Jan 2015 - 12:58:51) This is for all the people that said it does not cost much to put a few white lights up. Please look at the write up in this week’s local herald under the heading “Society Honours villagers at annual awards ceremony” and you will see that Mr Dick Smith took 13yrs to raise £40,000 it NEEDED to put Christmas lights up at Grayshott. So I think you had all better start saving and raising the money if that is what you want for Liphook.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Steve (18th Jan 2015 - 16:30:40) £40000 that's less than half what the council wasted on court costs, on a case they lost, our money!!!!!

Re: Christmas Decorations - Peter R (18th Jan 2015 - 21:49:32) Well said Steve and they were never brought to account. People have short memories.

Re: Christmas Decorations - anon (19th Jan 2015 - 13:32:42) I fear that this argument will rumble on and on until the current Council agree to publish a fully redacted copy of the investigative report and disciplinary report that had to be drawn up in order to deal with this issue. There can be no transparency without publication. If fully anonymised then no person can be identified, so it breaches no data protection or privacy rules, and also, as a public authority spending your taxes you should be entitled to see what you paid for. Then you can see what horrors the previous council got up to and what the present council had to do to rectify it. Especially as elections draw near, there will be mud thrown in every direction and every topic, even unrelated like this one, will have barbed comments in them. Without publication, how can you know who to vote for?

Re: Christmas Decorations - Life time resident (19th Jan 2015 - 15:29:40) Steve and Peter R. Why have you high jacked this thread? It is about the Christmas lights and has nothing at all to do with the Parish council here or in Grayshott.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Kevin Jackson (19th Jan 2015 - 15:43:21) Steve and Peter R were merely pointing out that all the money which was spent by the present parish council on ousting the previous parish clerk and which was never properly accounted for (far in excess of £40,000) would have been more than enough to replace the Christmas lights for Liphook. What is your objection to them bringing that into the equation? It is also my understanding that some of the money for the Grayshott lights which are stunning, was and is funded privately by local residents and businesses.

Re: Christmas Decorations - Steve (19th Jan 2015 - 19:16:29) Hi the pc should pay for the lights in Liphook, and would have had more than enough money to do so if!!!! And I say if the pc had not payed so much money out on the lady from the millennium Hall, and the court costs for Mr Groves. The lights, the willows nursery and lots more could have been done in the village with the wasted money. It's not about taking over this page, it's about the money could have been there to do the Christmas lights ect!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Christmas Decorations - dave mcgrath (20th Jan 2015 - 13:45:37) well steve if you feel so strongly about it why dont you put your surname?

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