Being independent traders does not mean standing alone – by working together we are able to offer more to shoppers.

So, with the help of Uttlesford District Council (UDC), and Mary Portas Funding, the Great Dunmow Town Team was formed in September 2013, comprising a group of local businessmen and women who meet monthly on a voluntary basis.

Their aim: to create ideas and initiatives to keep the High Street busy and ultimately put the Great back into Great Dunmow.

Over the four years, we are proud of our achievements and going forward the Town Team will have a regular monthly column in the Broadcast which will keep you informed of what we are working on.

So what have we been up to recently? You may have noticed our pretty High Street is even prettier than normal with the addition of some beautiful Christmas lights. This is one of the Town Teams proudest achievements – the lights switch on held on Saturday.

We start work on this event back in March, getting all the paperwork approved and then approaching various people to help us put it on.

The first Christmas lights event we held in 2013 consisted of one choir, a large pan of mulled wine and about 50 people. It has grown in size with its popularity increasing year-on-year.

It’s a great way of keeping the community alive and the Town Team were passionate that to have a lights event in Great Dunmow was very important. In 2015 we had very little money for the event so created a crowdfunding site. The support from local businesses and residents was overwhelming and it was down to them that we held the event at all last year. It also showed us it isn’t only important to the Town Team and businesses, but to many people who live in or around Great Dunmow.

This year’s event is the biggest we have done and we were so pleased with the numbers of people who turned out. The atmosphere was special and it made me very proud to be part of the Town Team. We closed the High Street for the day to ensure we had a safe environment for families. the street was lined with stalls offering food and gifts, interspersed with a ride and face painting for little ones and an ice skating rink for older ones.

It really kicked started Christmas in Dunmow, especially when our guest of honour turned up to turn on the lights – Father Christmas himself.

In 2017 we have other initiatives we are going to be working on and we welcome your support and feedback.

We are keen to resurrect our ‘Market Town’ status and hold a monthly Farmers’ Market. We are continuing to work with UDC about parking, which we know is a hot topic. We will also continue with the ‘Shop Local, Shop Dunmow’ campaign.

We value your support and if you would like to get involved and have a few hours to spare to help that would be great. You don’t have to be a business, if you are a resident who would like to get involved then please do. Email us at greatdunmowtownteam@gmail.com.