Lighting up the depths of winter
Oxford will be lighting up this winter thanks to one resident.
Three weeks ago Lorna Price posted a question to her community Facebook page asking if anyone would be interested in a Christmas light display to be held during the week of the winter solstice.
’’The day before I posted that a friend and I were sat at the table making lanterns with our grandchildren for the school holidays when he talked about how children here sort of miss out the magic of a winter Christmas with the lights and the lanturns.’’
‘‘In the summertime the little ones often miss out on seeing the wonders of the Christmas lights because it doesn’t get dark until so late, I just thought what if put them up in winter instead?’’
Price said she couldn’t believe the response she has had from everyone in the community.
‘‘Everyone was so supportive and have been coming up with wonderful ideas, Oxford Promotions Action Committee (OPAC) are going to help with all the organisation of everything.
‘‘Some of the ideas we have had put forward we won’t be able to implement this year, just given the short time period we have, but the hope is certainly that it will be popular and will become an annual event which continues to get better and better each year.’’
Price said other groups in the community are also keen to be involved.
‘‘The festivities will run from the 16th to the 24th of June and at the farmers market in the village on the 17th there will be flax weaving creating stars to celebrate Matariki, the following Sunday there will be a midwinter theme.’’
Price said they are working on a registration system for houses and businesses wanting to take part in th Christmas lights display with some businesses already offering to donate prizes for the best houses.
‘‘A number of the retailers and cafes and Working Men’s Club are keen for a late night shopping with delights such as mulled wine and mid winter themes.’’
Price said the most important thing for her is that it’s ‘‘good family fun which doesn’t cost the earth.’’
‘‘I just want it to be something for everyone to look forward to, create a little excitement in the depths of winter.’’