Warwick estate to come to life with winter wonderland event

When the Warwick Town Christmas Lights are switched on Friday (November 27), Woodloes Park will also come to life with its 'winter wonderland' event.

More than 145 households have signed up to take part, decorating their houses, gardens or front windows on a winter theme.

This may include Christmas decorations, but the theme is intended to be all-inclusive, whatever age, ability or background.

The six-week event is in support of Acorns Children’s Hospice and Team Ethan.

Ethan Maclellen is a six-year old boy who lives on the estate, and who has a rare condition called Lesch Nyhan Syndrome.

He attends Evergreen Special school on the estate.

Now that he is six, Ethan has regular two-day respite at Acorns, but in the past has been a regular at Zoe’s Place Hospice.

Ethan’s Parents, James and Laura, along with ten-year old Tristan, normally host an annual Scary House on Hathaway Drive each Halloween, but because of the Covid restrictions, and particularly in regard to Ethan’s condition, this was not able to take place this year.

Consequently, the two charities have lost potential income of around £1,200 from this single event.

Laura Maclellan said: "It’s going to be such a brilliant event lots of houses are taking part we are so touched and feel very lucky that they have chosen two charities that are so close to us.

"We are looking forward to going round with Ethan and Tristan looking at all the decorations.

"The Maclellan family will be forever grateful to all the community for this amazing fundraiser."

Over recent months, during the pandemic and its subsequent restrictions, the Woodloes Community Events Team was formed to promote activities to bring the estate residents together, while following Government guidelines on social distancing.

Growing out of the Clap for the NHS back in the spring, there have been VE Day street parties, door step cafes, a scarecrow festival and a Halloween scavenger hunt.

Each event has built on the growing community spirit and raised invaluable funds for various charities.

The Scarecrow festival over August bank holiday raised vital funds and food donations for the Warwick District Food Bank. Hundreds of families were out on the streets over that weekend, talking and taking photographs, all at a safe distance.

At Halloween, as there was no scary house by the Maclellen Family, the Woodloes Community Events Team arranged a scavenger hunt for younger children and their families, looking for around twenty spooky items on display at the various decorated houses on the estate.

130 children brought their completed sheets to the community centre next to the Primary School, and exchanged them for sweets.

More than £200 was raised for Acorns and Team Ethan.

And this Friday the latest event begins – Woodloes Winter Wonderland, which has already attracted donations and registration fees in excess of £1,200 to share between the two good causes.

The Events Team have produced a Map of the Estate, split into seven zones, with a street listing page showing where the Wonderland Displays are located.

Residents can download these maps from the community events’ Facebook Page, or the Woodloes community centre Website.

Printed maps are also available for sale at the KP Newsagent or Spend and Save Supermarket at Reardon Court on Woodloes from Friday (November 27).

The initiative has been supported by Warwick Town Council in the form of a Community Grant to cover the cost of printing and publicity. Consequently, every penny donated goes to Acorns and Team Ethan.

The events team have been very careful to observe all guidance on social distancing throughout their events.

A spokesperson from the Woodloes community events team said: "Since this event is outdoors, and spread over an extended period (finishing on twelfth night on January 5) we are welcoming visitors from beyond Woodloes to visit the displays.

"It is suggested that visitors come in their family bubbles and take care to observe the normal advice on social distancing.

"Visitors are invited to make a donation to the two charities, especially if they enjoy what they see."

Donations can be made via the Woodloes Community Events Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodloescommunityevents or via the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/woodloesAlternatively, cash or cheques (made payable to Woodloes Park Community Centre) can be posted, or hand-delivered to “Winter Wonderland” 1, Welsh Close, Woodloes Park, Warwick CV34 5JY.