Neighbours shine a light on Christmas
EVERY December, visitors from miles around descend on one housing estate in Rochdale for its epic Christmas lights switchon.
This year was no different, with families queuing up to see the extravaganza on Wrenbury Drive in Burnedge which raises thousands of pounds for nearby Springhill Hospice.
Among the residents taking part in the display is Peter Marr, 70, who this year pulled out all the stops, spending 12 hours transforming his house into a winter wonderland.
Peter is one of the first home owners on the estate and started decorating his house, along with a few other residents, 25 years ago.
Now around 60 homes are lit up from the first Saturday of December each year when the estate’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-one event is held.
“It’s just got bigger and bigger and some people even get professional people in to do it; with it being for charity people are really pushing the boat out and making a big effort,” Peter said.
This year’s Christmas light show saw residents team up with the Spring Inn on Broad Lane, which held a Christmas sing-along with the Milnrow Brass Band and market ahead of the lights being switched on at 5pm.
Once the street was glowing with lights, fellow resident and house decorator Barbara Robinson served mulled wine to her neighbours which has also become an annual
tradition in itself. When asked how many people came to the switch-on, Peter said: “I wouldn’t like to say, there were masses of people.
“I couldn’t put a number on it because there were just so many. People come from all over.”
His neighbours on the estate, Maria Brearley and her husband Roger, decided to turn the switch-on into a fundraising event for Springhill Hospice three years ago after noticing how many people were coming to get a glimpse of the Christmas lights year after year.
On the significance of raising money for the hospice, Peter said: “We’re only 100 yards from the hospice.
“There is a strong local connection.
“A lot of us have a connection to the hospice because we all know people who have been there for different reasons.
“My wife died just over a year ago and she always donated and did bits of charity work.”
A spokesperson from the hospice said: “The people of Wrenbury Drive do such an incredible job.
“The work that goes into decorating all the houses is epic and the lights bring so much joy to so many people.
“We are so grateful they chose to raise funds for Springhill Hospice which is needed more than ever at the moment.”
This year residents are hoping to raise more than £3,000 for the hospice after raising more than £2,000 last year.
Donations can be made at Justgiving or by scanning a QR code on a poster at Wrenbury Drive.