HOLMFIRTH’S Christmas lights are under threat after it emerged the Holme Valley Business Association (HVBA) could collapse within weeks.

The group, which organises the annual display and a number of other community events, is on the rocks after a turbulent few months that have seen it lose a court case and suffer the resignation of its president.

It currently has no president, no secretary and no vice-presidents in violation of its own 2007 constitution.

With only a treasurer in place members of the association have just days to find replacements or take the decision to wind up the 100-year-old group.

Former chairman of the Holme Valley Parish Council, Trevor Bellamy had been lined up following the resignation of Rob Dixon last month, but it had recently emerged he was not eligible as he was not a member.

Last ditch attempt to save struggling group

Clr Royston Rogers, a former president of the HVBA, said he had stepped in to make a last ditch attempt to save the struggling group.

An extraordinary general meeting has been called for Tuesday November 17 and Clr Rogers said it was time for people to stand up and be counted.

He said: “There is no business association at the moment because it has no officers.

“We will have to decide whether to wind it up or find out if anybody is prepared to take on the roles.

“I’ve approached the Rotary club and the Holmfirth Lions and I’m also enlisting help from other bodies to try and help me put something together.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Last month the struggling association was ordered to pay Kath Smith, a former association member and Holme Valley Parish councillor, £3,300 following a trial at Huddersfield County Court.

The group immediately handed over half the cash and were given 28 days to come up with the rest.

But Clr Rogers admitted they had not been able to meet the court order and were currently in negotiations to pay Mrs Smith monthly.

And he denied that winding the group up was a deliberate ploy to dodge paying the money owed.

He said: “People can say what people say, but I say that if anyone has any other suggestions then come forward and do something.

“Membership has dropped from 120 to 20 because nobody’s bothered.

“They need to get off their back sides.

“Trying to get money out of people isn’t easy, big businesses in the centre of Holmfirth never give a penny for Christmas lights, it’s disgusting.”

Kath Smith confirmed she had agreed to be paid the £1,800 she was owed on a monthly basis.

All members of the Holme Valley Business Association are requested to attend the extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday November 17 at 7pm at the Old Bridge Hotel, in Holmfirth.