Residents on a Roundhay street showcase festive spirit with advent window display

The creative community on Davies Avenue have been getting into the festive spirit to add a little Christmas sparkle to their neighbourhood with a larger-than-life advent calendar.

Twenty-five houses have all decorated a window with a different themed display, with each new creation unveiled each day in the run-up to Christmas.

Each window is themed around Christmas, with the creativity only limited to the imagination.

The idea was the brainchild of resident Jeanette Bartle, who has lived on the street for over 20 years and wanted to do something in place of the usual annual Davies Avenue Street Party which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

That event usually attracts all of the residents to share food and drink and dance music from band Stroke of Genius.

Jeanette said she saw the idea for the advent calendar windows on Facebook.

"I thought it would be a fun event for fellow neighbours to join in and interactive for children to try and find each number on the street and find their favourite."

The residents also plan to gather in the street at 6pm on Christmas Eve and "Ring a bell for Christmas Eve - to spread the Christmas spirit," said Jeanette.

Ella Pickering, six, from Davies Avenue, is one of the many children who have enjoyed searching for the numbers and choosing favourites.

She said: “I went for a walk with my daddy and little sister, Lola, to spot the advent windows. We saw a Polar Bear, Santa Clause and his reindeers and I even saw snowmen.

"They were all lit up and I cannot wait until Christmas Day - when we show ours!”

Each of the windows have been, and will continue to be, lit up nightly between Dec 1 and 31 after 5pm.

The community Christmas spirit is strong in Roundhay as the local residents' association has also organised a festive trail, pinpointing where local residents have created Christmas displays.

A post by Roundhay Residents' Association on their Facebook page, 'Rora Roundhay' includes a downloadable map and pays tribute to the LS8 residents "who have gone above and beyond to bring some Christmas magic to the area".

The map is also stocked at the Co-op, Tasty Kitchen & Coffee, The Mansion and Garden Room Cafe and Restaurant.

The trail also aims to raise money for the charity Zarach, which delivers beds to children living in poverty. To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rorafestivefundraiser

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