Wick’s Hogmanay street party wouldn’t have happened had Specsavers not come on board as main sponsor, community councillors have been told.
The opticians supported the town centre celebrations after agreeing a deal with the volunteers of HAPPY (Hogmanay and People’s Party Yearly), with the motto: “See in the New Year with Specsavers.”
Event organiser Allan Farquhar gave an update at the January meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, of which HAPPY is a subgroup.
After some concerns over the wet and windy weather, the street party went ahead with music by local band Eclipse. Ian Morris, from the Wick branch of Specsavers, led the countdown to the bells.
Mr Farquhar, the community council chairman, said the event had been a success – and revealed that some people had been left wondering why Wick can put on such a community celebration to mark New Year while Thurso cannot.
Mr Farquhar told fellow community councillors on Monday night: “We had a chat with the band at nine o’clock and by that time the weather had died down a bit. It was not too bad and we made the decision to go ahead.
“There were more people there than we thought we would get, to be honest, on a horrible night. Thanks to everybody for attending, and a big thanks to Specsavers because if it hadn’t been for them we wouldn’t have had it this year.
“They sponsored the band, so a very big thanks to Ian Morris. We also raised £240 by collections and donations.”
Eclipse entertained the Wick street party revellers on a wet and cold Hogmanay. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Mr Farquhar added: “We had a lot of people asking why they can’t do it in Thurso, but I don’t know the workings of why not.
“I did get a lot of thanks from folk in Thurso saying ‘I don’t know how you manage it but well done’.”
Community councillor Alastair Ferrier pointed out that one group of revellers had made their way to the Wick street party following the cancellation of Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay celebrations.
He said: “There were five or six lads who were booked to go to the Edinburgh event, and when it was cancelled they came to Wick instead.”
Mr Farquhar mentioned there had been “a few technical issues” on the night, including one that affected the New Year bells via the PA system.
He added: “Our next meeting will be to gather all the funds. They’ve not all come in yet.
“Some local businesses are making donations, so we’re hoping we will get those in by the end of the month.”
Crowds celebrating the arrival of 2025 at the Wick town centre street party. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios