Sparkling success of Christmas house decorating competion in Swineshead

The village normally runs Christmas events including a festive lights switch-on but these had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

So the Swinehead Christmas Festival Committee instead opted to run a competition through social media, to showcase the many festively decorated properties.

Mayor of Boston Coun Anton Dani toured the village to judge the 20 entries, along with the chair of Swineshead Christmas Festival Committee Chelcei Trafford and treasurer Sean Trafford.

The winner was Nigel and Pauline of Abbey Road, with Gemma of High Green second, and Gunita and Janis of Longrigg Walk third.

Chelcei said: “The committee were astounded with the amount of entries and seeing the variation of properties its truly heart-warming, particularly in these difficult times.”

“Swineshead has a well-known community feel, and this was portrayed by the warm welcome the Mayor of Boston received whilst judging the properties.”

Coun Dani said: “The Lady Mayoress and I were both very impressed with the hard work in which residents have gone to. It was a difficult decision to pick a winner.”

There was also a socially-distanced Christmas parade through the village, with Santa with his sleigh and his elves on an 9.5 mile walk.

Chelcei said: “The parade was a huge success, and I’m really pleased it went so well.

“My thanks goes to all residents who kept within their household boundaries whilst watching. I’d also like to thank my fellow committee members for working as a team, bringing our visions together, making them a reality, for the benefit of our community and much-loved village.”