Aberavon Rugby Club have been heavily involved in ensuring that Port Talbot Town celebrates Christmas with a Christmas Tree and festive lights for the past six-years and will continue to do so during the 2022 Christmas period.
In 2015, Neath Port Talbot Council announced they were not in a position to supply Christmas Lights for Port Talbot. Aberavon decided that Port Talbot will have Christmas Lights in 2015, and every year since.
There has been many developments over the years; new lights, new areas to decorate, different trees and bigger trees, this is a continual process as we always collect feedback from the community.
However … supplying, installing, storing and powering the lights is a costly process. Therefore, we are appealing to the local community to help us reach our £5,000 target to fund the following:
- A walk-through tree at The Hub
- A Christmas Tree in the Civic Square
- Street decorations in Station Road and Forge Road
- Festoon lighting in Station Road
In 2019, local star Michael Sheen helped in raising money for the lights as we were very much in need of new lights. Together, we all raised a substantial amount of money.
2020 was a very difficult time for all, therefore, it was even more important to ensure that festive cheer was created around the community. Due to the efforts of Mr Sheen, Aberavon Rugby Club and the people of Port Talbot, we had enough funds to supply the lights once again. The total amount to fund the Christmas Lights in Port Talbot came in at around £15,000.
Again, Michael Sheen helped with narrating a special poem just for Port Talbot, written by Katie John.