Illumination Street, sponsored by British Garden Centres Group, has broken all records this festive period with unprecedented media coverage in the Sunday Mirror, Sunday People, Daily Express, Grow Your Own magazine, ITV News and BBC Radio.
Coverage of the competition, highlighting the passion, flair and effort invested into front gardens around Britain in the build-up to Christmas, was also broadcast by 58 individual BBC and commercial radio stations, reaching an audience of 2.1 million listeners.
Entries to Illumination Street, which had over £5,000 worth of British Garden Centres gift vouchers to be won, skyrocketed this year.
As the British public took to their streets once again to deck their neighbourhoods with twinkling fairy lights and stunning spectacles, it was great to see so many festively festooned homes.
This Christmas especially, the country needed some joy, so this has been the perfect opportunity to see families and communities come together to create visual delights full of snowmen, reindeers, polar bears, and nutcrackers.
From traditional wreaths to musically synchronised experiences, there was a huge variety in the competition this year, which made it hard for the judges to decide on the worthy winners.
The winners were:
Large Outdoor Display
Dan and Mark Warr-Extance of Yeovil, Somerset, were the judge’s top pick. Transforming their bungalow into the Disney Castle, they created a truly stunning display, whilst raising money for charity.
Second place was awarded to Sue and Graham Hawkes. Their annual display is the talk of Almondsbury in Bristol and this year was no different, as they added a touching tribute to the NHS to celebrate their hard work.
Natalie Price, Rotherham was awarded third place for her colourful display.
Small Outdoor Display
In first place was Jonathan Burge, Weston-Super-Mare. He transformed his home into an old toy shop and its brilliance and originality blew the judges away.
Second place was awarded to Kavitha Kirby in Leeds. Her and her partner are both doctors and created a beautiful mythical inspired display to raise money for NHS charities.
In third place was Mike Baldwin, of Portsmouth, with his synchronised light display.
Best Community Display
The community winner was Hailey’s Christmas Walking Trail. The village of Hailey united and decided to create a cohesive community display. With current restrictions they knew it would have to be an outdoor show, so 46 houses took part in this walking trail, with each displaying a unique festive word.
In second place was Olde Hanwell Advent Window Project, London, for their amazing window advent calendar. With over 200 houses involved, each night a new house lit up their window, adding another window to the display, up until Christmas Eve.
In joint third place was Bromberrow Way Christmas Lights and Helpston Village Advent. The judges couldn’t decide between the two, so decided to reward them.
Best Front Door Display
In first place with her fully handmade, upcycled display was Mandy Calderon from Thatcham. Her candy land archway was a unique entry, that showed real originality and resourcefulness as it was made from upcycled carboard boxes!
In second place was Julie Murray in Woodbridge and her simply stunning doorway. The judges loved this entry because it showed warmth and really reminded them of Christmas time.
In third place wass Emma Ross of Inverness with a frosty white display.
In the public vote for the Best Front Door Display, first place went to William Jenkinson in Craigavon with his gorgeous Red and White frost display. In second place was Bron Waters, Crowborough, for his traditional front door, and third was Donna Mitchell-Talbot in Wednesbury fopr her handmade Santa wreath and festive garland archway.
Best Children’s Display
In joint first place was Chewton Common Playgroup, Walkford, and William Law CE Primary School in Dundee.
The children at Chewton made their own snowmen and decided to bring their entire festive display outside because restrictions meant their parents couldn’t visit indoors.
William Law pupils were learning about medicine and the NHS so decided to combine their curriculum with Christmas and made snowmen out of tablet cups. This original and fitting display (right) caught the judges’ eyes.
In second place was Chaucer Junior School whose year 6 bubble made some amazing displays out of recycled materials, including reindeers out of coffee lids.
In third place was Alice Coad, of Spalding. Inspired by her dad’s outdoor lighting display, Alice wanted to do her own so decorated her chest of drawers with a tree, tinsel and lots of amazing light-up goodies.
Alice also came third in the public vote, which was won by St Francis Primary School, Dundee, for their Elf your Self wall (pictured below) Second place went to Chewton Common Playgroup.
For more information visit www.illuminationstreet.com
See the gallery of second and third placed winners below...
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Large Outdoor Display 2nd Place - Sue and Graham Hawkes
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Large Outdoor Display 3rd Place - Natalie Price
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Small Outdoor Display 2nd Place - Kavitha Kirby
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Small Outdoor Display 3rd Place - Mike Baldwin
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Community Display 2nd Place - Olde Hanwell Advent Window Project
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Community Display Joint 3rd Place - Bromsberrow Way Christmas Lights
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Community Display Joint 3rd Place - Helpston Village Advent Trail
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Best Front Door 2nd Place - Julie Murray
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Best Front Door 3rd Place - Emma Ross
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Best Front Door - Public Vote 2nd Place - Bron Waters
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Best Front Door - Public Vote 3rd Place - Donna Mitchell-Talbot
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Best Children's Display 2nd Place - Chaucer Junior School
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Best Children's Display JC& PV 3rd Place - Alice Coad