Vote for your favourite house on Christmas lights estate

PUBLISHED: 08:18 27 November 2018 | UPDATED: 08:19 27 November 2018

Claire Melton in the doorway of her property in Wood Avens Way neighbourhood annual Christmas lights 2018

Archant

For the past 15 Christmases a group of neighbours have transformed their road into a festive wonderland, raising thousands for charity and keeping community spirit alive on their close-knit roundabout.

Annette and Julian Fulcher outside their property in Wood Avens Way neighbourhood annual Christmas lights 2018

nd on Sunday night, the residents of Wood Avens Way roundabout, Wymondham, once again lit up the neighbourhood with their lights switch-on, illuminating all 13 houses in the close.

Two new families were initiated to the decade’s long tradition and joined the other residents in raising a glass of mulled wine to the continuing neighbourhood camaraderie.

Claire Melton, who co-ordinates the lights, said her Christmas could not start until the switch had been flicked.

She said: “The whole place feels so sparkly, you can feel the community spirit.

“The neighbours here are lovely and I think it helps living on a roundabout and not a straight road.

“We all help each other with lights. If someone can’t get up a ladder they get help with that and it just gets better every year.”

Dozens of people gathered Sunday night for the switch-on, but festivities are set to continue in the run-up to Christmas, with carol singing by Creative Singing group on December 22 and live organ music by Peter Williams on Christmas Eve.

Every year the group raises money for a different local charity, but this year said this year’s beneficiary, Star Throwers cancer charity, was particularly close to their hearts.

Earlier this year, a Wood Avens resident was diagnosed with cancer and has been supported by Star Throwers since receiving the news.

Mrs Melton said: “Star Throwers is an amazing charity.

“There’s always someone to talk to and because the centre is in a converted house it doesn’t feel clinical.

“You can go in and cry, scream, chat with other people who know what you’re going through.”

Fiona and Andrew Olive outside their property in Wood Avens Way neighbourhood annual Christmas lights 2018

The neighbours have already raised nearly £400 through their online donations page and collection box and Mrs Melton added the support from the public was incredible.

Last year the community raised £2,300 for Pact Animal Sanctuary and Wymondham Dementia Support Group and hope to build on this total by raising £2,500 in 2018.