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A touching thank you note has been received by a Wokingham man after a family visited his festive light display.
While writing thank you notes for Christmas presents might be seen by some children as a festive chore, for this anonymous family saying thank you – to a stranger – was important.
Adrian Roberts, who created the display inspired by the events of the first Christmas, said that the note was brilliant.
His is not the only home in the cul-de-sac to have festive lights and he said that a neighbour told him they had received a thank you note for their display and he probably would do too.
“We went out yesterday and when I came back there it was,” he told The Wokingham Paper. “Who it comes from I have no idea.
“The note is fantastic.
“It made me smile and it makes it all worthwhile. It’s brilliant and it’s nice to have appreciation.”
Mr Roberts’ display has been a festive fixture for a number of years and friends and neighbours rally round to help and make the light show a spectacular.
And his neighbours also create their own light shows, making the cul-de-sac a must-see for families. They even rally round to hold a neighbourly light switch-on in early December, gathering for mince pies and mulled wine before counting down to turning on the lights.
Mr Roberts said that lots of people come to see the displays, driving down the cul-de-sac to admire the shows.
“Neighbours say that cars are always coming up and occasionally people will walk in because their children want to see [the lights],” he said. “I don’t know the exact number of people but I think it’s quite a lot.
“What’s quite interesting is that a friend was in a pub and he heard someone else talking about it.”
The display features a Nativity scene with specially made figures depicting characters from the Christmas story.
“I do the display not just because it’s a nice decoration. Every one else has Father Christmas up, but as far as I’m concerned Christmas is about the Christmas story,” Mr Roberts explained.
“I have put up the manger scene for several years and some of my neighbours also decorate. Last year I managed to get hold of the angels.
“This year I asked [friend] Bill Crooks to paint the shepherds and wise men so I could have the full Christmas story and display what Christmas is all about. I have had quite a few families with young children visiting and many cars, including the police.”
The display will be on show in Martins Drive until Twelfth Night: Wednesday, January 6.
