Bailiffs called into action in Holmfirth Christmas lights row

Nov 3 2009 by Nick Lavigueur

BAILIFFS have been called into action in the bitter Holmfirth Christmas lights row.

The historic Holme Valley Business Association (HVBA) owes former member Kath Smith £1,800 following a court case in September.

The court action came after the HVBA refused to refund Mrs Smith’s costs for arranging the 2006 display.

Mrs Smith sued them for almost £6,000 at Huddersfield County Court, but was only awarded £3,300.

The 100-year-old group was forced to pay half immediately and had 28 days to pay the balance.

But last week it emerged the HVBA had failed to meet the October 26 deadline and was trying negotiate a new weekly payment with the court.

The troubled association was already on its knees after membership dropped to just 20 and last week admitted it was operating without a president, a secretary or any vice-presidents, in violation of its own 2007 constitution.

An emergency meeting had been called for November 17 to try to elect new officers but it has since emerged the group is on the verge of winding up after its final serving member, treasurer Ailsa Booth, quit last Friday.

Mrs Smith said she had been open to negotiation and was still trying to communicate with the stricken group.

She said: “I’ve not fallen out with them, I went to their meeting last Tuesday to talk to them.

“They had agreed to pay me £150 a month and that was fine.