If you have ever driven out through Bellbird during December, chances are you already know how magnificent the Christmas lights are at 265 Wollombi Road.
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Dian and Lloyd Manderson have been adorning their house with Christmas decorations for the past 12 years, and manage to improve their display every time.
It started out with just a couple of Santa Claus figures in their front yard, and Dian said it just developed from there.
“Each year it’s got bigger,” she said.
Having eight grandchildren between her and Lloyd, Dian said they thoroughly delight in being able to put on the show for them and all of the people who come to visit.
“I enjoy seeing the children, it gives me great pleasure to do it for them,” she said.
The process takes about a month from unpacking the items from storage to putting the last one up in time for the start of December.
Once the lights are up and on, Dian and Lloyd sit out the front, giving lollies to the children who come to visit and collect donations for the Westmead Children’s Hospital.
Dian decided to start collecting for the charity as her daughter used to work in the hospital and said she knows children from Cessnock have spent time in the hospital.
“I think it’s a worthwhile cause,” she said.
This year’s lights display will feature a “little bit of a surprise,” and will come on from around 8-8.15pm each night until New Year’s Eve.
Dian said the lights will continue each year as long as she and Lloyd are able to put them up, as they really enjoy the whole experience.
“We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t like it,” she said.
“I think we’ve given the people of Cessnock a lot of joy.”
TELL US WHERE THE BEST LIGHTS ARE
Do you have an impressive Christmas lights display?
Add your house or business to the Hunter’s Christmas Lights Map. Simply fill out the form below including your name, address and a photograph of your display and it will be added to the map.
