Loftus lights up for Christmas

As Christmas Lights go up in Loftus’s Market Place, a smaller ceremony has been held nearby at Pocket Park. with a newly installed festive light display switched on by Loftus Town Mayor, Councillor Michael Hodgson.

This year ICL Boulby provided funding to the ‘Light up Loftus’ group for festive lights at Pocket Park at Bank Top, Loftus. Already home to some permanent installations paying tribute to the area’s mining past, these lights will further enhance the park and brighten the entrance to the Town from the west and can be used for year-round annual light displays such as at Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter to name but a few.

Switch on at the Pocket Park…from left to right Mayor of Loftus Councillor Michael Hodgson, Jill Christie of Wold Pottery who helps run Light Up Loftus, ICL Boulby Communications Manager Katie Robinson, and Nick Green, representing the Freemasons.

This ceremony gave ‘Light Up Loftus,’ a local volunteer led group set up in 2017, an opportunity to give thanks to ICL operations at Boulby and Tees Dock for their support in making this display happen.

To commemorate the installation and funding received, Light Up Loftus’ commissioned a plaque which, using the registered business name, acknowledges the very generous financial support provided by ICL Boulby this year.

Adding to this display the group further commissioned The Foxwood Project to design and make a family of wooden polar bears to find their Christmas home on the park railings. This was financed through the support of the community attending the groups local fundraising events held throughout the year such as coffee mornings and was kindly match funded by another generous donation from the local Freemasons at Saltscar Lodge 5173.

So, thanks to an all-round community and local business effort, the lovely Pocket Park at Bank Top, Loftus now shines brightly for all to enjoy!