Holmfirth Christmas lights row refuses to die down

Oct 2 2009 By Nick Lavigueur

IT’S not over yet.

The Holmfirth Christmas lights dispute refuses to die down.

The row is between the Holme Valley Business Association (HVBA) and former Holme Valley parish councillor Kath Smith, who today threatened more legal action.

Mrs Smith sued the organisation for the £5,871 she paid to sort the 2006 display.

The association said she had not been cleared to spend the money.

But on Tuesday, following a one-day-trial at Huddersfield County Court, Mrs Smith won more than £3,300 from the group of Holmfirth traders.

The association handed over £1,700 the same day and was given 28 days to come up with the remainder.

But despite ruling Mrs Smith was owed thousands for sorting the festive display. Judge ,The Recorder Denise Marson, refused to award her the majority of her £1,200 court costs or £650 she paid for the lights to be put up.

Now an angry Mrs Smith is determined to win that money back and has told the HVBA she wants the equipment the judge refused to reimburse her for back by 4pm today.

Mrs Smith told the Examiner it was “very likely” she would serve papers on the association early next week.

Speaking yesterday she said: “There’s no chance of me getting my stuff back before Friday but I’m not being stuffed like this.

“You have to say ‘no’ at a certain point. Even if it takes 10 years I’m going to proven to be right, but do it legally and above board.