Throughout the nearly 20 years that I, through one committee or another, have been involved in Yuletide the date has caused a problem. First, when it was about the 14th/15th /16th December the complaint from shopkeepers was it was too late in the month. For the last 5 or 6 years it has clashed with Largs Players Panto, which led to complaints from the Largs Players and others who thought that Yuletide was purposely organised to clash with the Panto. Last year it was decided to change the date for 2007 and review the date again after Yuletide was held. The date and reason for changing was included in my thank you letter printed in the Largs and Millport News. The Yuletide date was in the diaries in the Library and the Information Bureau and was also featured in NAC Events Brochure 2007 and website. The 29th November brought the Largs Yuletide Evening into the centre of the Christmas events taking place in the surrounding area and not one of the last events as in previous years. Letters were given to shops in the town at the start of October so the complaint that the date was not known until too late does not hold water.

I repeat what was said in the Shopkeepers" letter - another letter will be issued after Christmas when everyone can decide what date they want for 2008 Yuletide Evening and even if they want a Yuletide Evening. Any member of the public can leave their chosen date in The Largs and Millport Weekly News office or The Largs and Millport Information Bureau. Names can be withheld.

And now for the vote of thanks - to Santa, Elves, Round Table and Rosstorations reindeer wagon - thank you. To The Boys Brigade Pipe Band, Brisbane Queen, LAH"s Snow White and the seven dwarves, the Fire and Rescue Service, First Responders and to huge numbers of children who made the parade bigger than previous years- thank you. To all the parade stewards - thank you. To the police on duty and the CCTV van - thank you. To the funfair operator and Parking Ecosse, who co-operated with each other to allow the funfair to take place - thank you. To those who enjoyed the rides - thank you for your good behaviour and sorry to those whose who had a complaint - we will make sure the fairground organiser knows of this.

To Paul and Garry from Notrom who work so hard to keep the Christmas lights bright and the rain out of the lights - thank you. To John Currie, NAC Ground Maintenance, who saved the day by getting the seafront car park barrier lifted at the last minute - phew! - thank you. To Jane and Largs and Millport Weekly News who organised the advertising for the evening -thank you. To all the shop owners and shop staff, even those who complained about the date, who decided to open and had a very long day. I hope your shop was one of those who had a very much better Yuletide than in previous years and thank you for opening.

Finally, Yuletide would not happen if you the shoppers did not come out for the evening - thank you for making the town so busy on the night and we hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Marlyn R Green Chair Largs Initiative