A SELF-FUNDED volunteer group say their Christmas tree light switch-on event is helping create a lasting legacy for residents in the area.

The team behind the Duntocher Community group are getting set to host their sixth-annual festive evening which will see locals congregate at the old bus terminus to sing carols, meet Santa Claus and witness the traditional light switch on.

Started in 2018, the group pay for everything themselves, with Duntocher natives and businesses covering expenses, chipping in with teas, coffees, selection boxes and much-needed donations.

And Glynis Boyle from the group revealed it all came about in response to West Dunbartonshire Council deciding to no longer provide community trees to people.

Glynis told the Clydebank Post: “We did a fundraiser and bought a living Christmas tree and it has just continued to flourish every year.

“The tree will probably grow two hundred feet high, it is quite symbolic.”

Before adding: “It has become a tradition that the community look forward to.”

“We have had members of the community who attended when the tree first got planted and return every year with their children and take a photo of them with the tree every year.

“They are growing as an individual, as is the tree.

“So, it is like a community legacy.”

The group open up the hall the week before the switch-on to do a collection for West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, taking in non-perishable food and new toy donations.

And Glynis explained local businesses and residents donate to them throughout the year so they can host the special evening. 

She said: “Anything we do, it’s from people. We have never applied for funding for it, because we are not a constituted group.

“It is just a group of volunteers that are residents and care about our wee community.”

This year’s event on Saturday, December 2 will be joined, as always, by Provost Douglas McAllister, who will conduct the countdown and switch the lights on at 7pm.

And after some Christmas carols sung by choir members from nearby churches, residents will be invited to head inside the village hall to have some hot chocolate, non-alcoholic mulled wine, home baking and mince pies.

There will also be a DJ playing some tunes to get people on the dancefloor, a raffle to raise funds for next year's event and Clydebank Musical Society Juniors will perform on stage.