I would, however, like to address a few misunderstandings aired by M George about this year’s “Carols by Candlelight” (30/12).

Firstly, though Busselton YouthCare Council coordinated the event this year it was a combined effort with many local community groups, including Rotary, involved. Our local Rotary Club contributed help and advice during the events planning on a number of organisational matters and also played a key role securing funding for stage hire.

Funds for the stage were generously supplied by Busselton shire Council and I would like to acknowledge the support and helpfulness of the Busselton Shire and staff, particularly shire recreation officer, Jeremy O’Neill, in the planning of this event.

Next year’s Carols will also be a combined effort with many local community groups, including Rotary, invited to contribute. This gives access to the many people skills and resources needed for a big community event and is much more effective than just one group working alone.

This year it was decided to forego the usual wrap-around newspaper song sheet kindly provided in previous years by the Mail and have the song words projected on to a screen on the stage. This is generally easier for everyone to see, improves the singing (as everyone is looking up rather than down) saves a few trees and leaves less rubbish afterwards to fill the bins.

Lastly, M George’s complaint that there were no Christmas carols indicates that this family did not actually stay for the carols singing part of the program. This started after dark so the stage could be lit up for effect and everyone could enjoy the candlelit atmosphere (no daylight saving this year).

Notices in the Mail, and about town, informed families that the program started with a community picnic in the park (with live music) followed later by a Nativity drama with carols’ singing. This section did start about half an hour later than originally planned, to get sufficient dark.