Advent Windows light up Whyke area

Presents under the Christmas tree set the ball rolling in December 1

Advent windows have returned to the Whyke area of Chichester following the success of last year's project.

Marilyn Campbell, of Whyke Lane, first organised the Advent Window project in 2014, when 13 households in her area took part, decorating an upstairs window and lighting it up each evening from an allocated December date.

Last year, she extended the project through a mailshot and gained the full set of 24 households for the advent period, so a new window could appear every night until all windows were lit up on Christmas Eve.

Marilyn said: “We have 24 volunteers this year. Each household has been allocated a date on which they will light up an upstairs window design and then light it up each night until the New Year so that by Christmas Eve, all 24 can be seen together.

A jolly little scene for December 2, complete with holly and robins

“Last year on this night, groups of people were walking around finding them all and said how much they looked forward to this as the start of their Christmas celebrations. After all our efforts, this was lovely to hear.”

Marilyn’s own window design was allocated to December 4 this year.

She said: “I decided to base my design on the Two Ronnies’ fork handles sketch, as Ronnie Corbett died in 2016.

“My window, though, is a tribute not only to Ronnie but to all the wonderful entertainers who left us this year, having left us with happy memories of their music or comedy. I won’t look at it without thinking also of Victoria Wood, David Bowie, Terry Wogan and Andrew Sachs.”

Three French hens at the Eiffel Tower for Advent Window number three

There were three French hens by an impressive Eiffel Tower for December 3, while December 5 and 6 saw Grove Road residents take part for the first time.

Windows to come are: 7th 88 Whyke Lane, 8th, 73 Grove Road, 9th 60 Whyke Lane, 10th 20 Lyndhurst Road, 11th 95 Grove Road, 12th 61 Whyke Lane, 13th 44 Grove Road, 14th 69 Whyke Lane, 15th 69 Lyndhurst Road, 16th 32A Caledonian Road, 17th 120 Whyke Lane, 18th 118 Whyke Lane, 19th 35 Cambrai Avenue, 20th 41 Cambrai Avenue, 21st 13 Whyke Lane, 22nd 78 Whyke Lane, 23rd 12 Littlefield Road, 24th 134 Whyke Lane.

Marilyn first came across the Advent Window project in the Avenues area of Hull.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

Organiser Marilyn Campbell's tribute to entertainers for Advent Window number four

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.chichester.co.uk/christmas/