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I may not be in the most festive of spirits just yet, but when I saw what the clever residents of Trinity Close in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, have been up to since November 1st it certainly raised a smile upon my face and a very well deserved seal of approval! The quiet cul-de-sac has been turned into a magical fantasy world made up of 100’000 fairy lights. The street has been covered in sparkling stars, glittery snowmen, llluminating reindeer's and sparkly Santa's! The 6 families in the cul-de-sac have been doing this year in year out for the past 15 years to raise money for charity.
Homeowner Nick Gardner, 43, said: ‘Every year it's different because every year we all add to it to make sure it's the best yet.
‘It started off with just a couple of us decorating our houses, but it soon turned into a full-blown competition until it grew and grew and more families got involved.
‘Now we all work together and have spent years collecting all the lights - we've easily broken the 100,000 mark now.
‘And I can tell because each year I need to start putting them up even earlier. This year it was November 1 when I started doing a bit here and there on the house.
‘It's a long process but everyone chips in and helps each other out, it's a very close cul-de-sac.
‘And the children here all know Father Christmas won't be able to miss us that's for sure.’
He added that thousands of people come from miles away to see the little cul-de-sac.
What a magical bunch they truly are, the real spirits of Christmas! If you where one of the cynical ones who were approving their efforts yet mumbling your thoughts on the dread of their electricity bill... then do not be alarmed! They are using low energy and eco-friendly LED bulbs which only add up to around an extra £60 on their bills (around the same price of a small heater)
The tradition was started by Nick and wife Hazel along with neighbours Chris Woodberry and his late wife Christine, who died after losing a battle with cancer.
He added: ‘The display runs up to January 6 and this year money is going to two charities.
‘We're raising for the Burnham-On-Sea Area Rescue Boat and PETAL, the Christine Woodberry Memorial Trust which helps local cancer hospices.
‘We want lots of people over the entire festive period to come and see us and help raise a good sum for charity - that's the reason we keep doing it.’
Such a wonderful cause and puts a smile on everybody's faces! Surely what the festive season is all about?
See more pictures of the cul-de-sac below:
(Picture copyright applies to all images used- Daily Mail)
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