The past few weeks I’ve been admiring the various Christmas lights switch-on events that have been taking place throughout Tayside and Fife.

On a cold and gloomy winter’s evening there’s nothing better to lift all of our spirits than some sparkly lights and nativity scenes.

What struck me as I scrolled through picture galleries online and spreads in the paper was how many of them are organised and run by volunteers.

Every year people spend their time and energy to bring a bit of light and fun to us all at a time of year when things can seem very dark and boring.

And what a fantastic job they do! From hanging the lights (sometimes aided by the local authority or businesses) to arranging for Santa to drop by to managing the crowds in attendance, every part of each event is coordinated diligently and with the community in mind.

Volunteers have been out in force

I also saw that this week members of bloom groups across Perth and Kinross were out in force planting bulbs in preparation for spring and youngsters who are part of the Police Scotland Youth........

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