Light Up Methven!

Methven will soon be much brighter with the help of our local community.

Paradiso Cinema owner Richard Sheppard, from a coastal town in Essex, England, took the idea for brightening Methven's winter to the town community board - and got support and access to $400 in a bank account set up to provide lights for trees in 2015.

Mr Sheppard said he hoped to illuminate the main street with LED lights, and had sought - and got - $50 from 31 businesses to buy about 600m of LED lighting.

The lights would be within a plastic tube supported by a stainless steel cable and run through the centre of town.

Mr Sheppard said the idea sprang from a Methven community day.

``In the UK, seaside towns, they have lighting up the main streets. The lights draw people in. I went to 31 businesses and asked for $50 from each and every one gave me $50,'' he said.

The lights, initially, would run down one side of the street, and would only be used in winter.

Unfortunately due to the lack of funds & volunteers the lights have suffered damage and maintenance issues were too costly with the little money that was left after we initially installed them in 2015.

Let's get Methven lit up and show your support by donating now.

With Covid taking place last year we thought it was unfair to rally around the local businesses to ask for donations.