It’s that time of year again - when Alex and Jackie Weir host their mega Christmas light switch on for all the kiddies in Cumnock to enjoy.
The couple, of 181 Holmburn Road, have been decking their house out with luminous, flashing and different coloured lights for nearly two decades, all in the name of sharing some festive joy and collecting money for important causes.
And this year was bigger and better than ever. More than 200 people attended last week’s switch on [November 26] with reports of queues round the street, and guest appearances from Santa Claus and the Grinch.
Alex, 68, said: “It went great. It was the biggest one yet.We got 20 weans a selection box and there were queues round the corner. I’d say there were around 60 extra people this year.
“We’ve been doing it for 18 years and this year we done it for Netherthird Community Centre for the two health and wellbeing rooms which will be used for professionals providing services for mental health, suicide and drug addiction.
“I try keep it in the Netherthird community although I’ve also done it for Age Concern and twice for the Community Hospital.”
He continued: “I do it all myself bar the roof. My son gives me a hand with that. It brings a bit of cheer and a smile to a lot of people’ faces.
“The old folks, on their Christmas days out, used to come by on the bus and stop at night to have a look at them. With things the way they are just now, doing it is even more important.”
Jackie, 51, added: “A very big thank you to our own photographer, Nicola Moore, who donated her fee to the charity cause, and to Craig Montgomery for playing the Grinch.
"Thank you to Sharon, Scott and Lauren for helping put the lights up, wrapping the selection boxes and posting our photos and videos for us.”
And what will the Weirs be doing this year when Santa Claus actually comes to town on December 25?
“We do nothing special on Christmas, we just have family over”, explained Alex. “We won’t know until early January how much we have raised.”
A spokesperson for Netherthird Community Centre said: “We can’t thank Alex enough for thinking about us and the wider community. This new facility will be a huge asset.”
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