Fundraising Christmas spectacle set to be bigger than ever

A fundraising Christmas spectacle on Sarum Avenue is set to be bigger than ever, and this year will feature the UK’s largest illuminated Father Christmas sculpture. 

Last year, the display raised £16,000 for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, and residents are hoping to raise even more for the charity again this year.

Sarum Avenue residents decorate the street and houses with hundreds of Christmas lights and decorations, welcoming people from Melksham and surrounding areas to view the display and take part in the festivities, including a raffle and a bar offering refreshments.

The lights will be switched on Sunday 30th November at 6pm, then be on every night from 5pm to 9pm, with Father Christmas and his elves out every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

New to the display this year is a large, illuminated Father Christmas sculpture, which is 5m high and 5m wide, taking up a footprint of nearly 40sqm and adorned with over 10,000 lights, as well as a set of six-foot homemade candy canes displayed on a resident’s driveway.

Local businesses have also donated prizes for the raffle again this year, including one very special star prize.

Resident Stacey said, “We have the Grinch as well this year – check out our Facebook page for when he’s going to be there.

“We also have Father Christmas in his grotto on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and a post box where children can bring their letters or pictures and post them.

“We’re really excited for this year’s display and want to raise even more than last year.”

Residents have urged people interested in visiting the display to walk where possible or park in local car parks such as King Street Car Park, as there is no parking on Sarum Avenue.