After the final window was unveiled in the Abington Pigotts Living Advent Calendar project, the organiser said this year’s effort has been ‘phenomenal’.
It was Sarah Duckett’s first year organising the event, she also kept a blog for villagers who couldn’t make it along for the big reveals – where people went along to a different building every night to see how a window had been given a festive makeover.
“It has gone brilliantly this year,” Sarah said.
“It is phenomenal how much effort everyone puts into their own window, and hosting the unveiling. it is amazing how everyone can invent something so different each night. It brings everyone out on a dark, cold evening and cheers everyone.”
Eleanor Sclater, who has lived in the village on and off for most of her life, said: “Its a wonderful, social mini-event that brings newcomers and old timers together at a very busy and dark time of the year. Its not competitive just fun.”
Maureen Wainwright said: “We’re a very social village and the windows give us a lovely reason to meet up and get in the Christmas spirit.
“Our own unveiling was on a horrible rainy night, and we were amazed so many people braved the cold and rain to come along.
“My family lives in Connecticut in the United States, and they love following the windows on the blog- although my mother confessed she didn’t understand most of our window which was made up of Christmas puns! I can’t say I blame her, several of the villagers are still scratching their heads!”
Canadians Geoff and Carolyn Collett have lived in the village for three years.
Our Canadian friends and family have been watching each of the windows revealed through Sarah’s online blog and are blown away with the sense of community this event has fostered in our lead up to Christmas.
“We are window number one – the Guardsmen Nutcrackers – our theme being the Changing of the Guard. We are planning to return to Canada early 2017 and will be very sad to leave this magical village that had been so warm and welcoming to us!
“We look forward to each unveiling with much anticipation as it has been wonderful to see the ingenuity, creativity and interpretation used by each family – truly remarkable!”
You can check out Sarah’s blog at abpigadvent2016.tumblr.com.
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