Christmas lights show at Bristol home will go on
A Bristol couple have brought festive cheer to their Bedminster street after fearing the credit crunch might put a stop to their seasonal lights show.
John and Diane Southern have been lighting up their home in Hartcliffe Way for more than 40 years.
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But the escalating cost of electricity meant they seriously considered abandoning the display and selling off the illuminations.
Mr Southern, 69, said they just could not afford the expense of lighting up the inside and outside of their house.
The electricity bill was already up to £500 to power the display for 12 hours a day and the cost is set to be even higher this year.
But within 48 hours of the Evening Post reporting on the couple’s sadness at giving up, a number of local businesses and residents came forward to help sponsor the lights.
It meant they had a change of heart and, at the weekend, had an official switching-on ceremony in front of neighbours and those who had offered to contribute to the cost.
Mr Southern, who said he existed on a state pension, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to go ahead with the lights. Every little bit of sponsorship helps.
“Two offers of help came in very quickly and others followed so we were able to go ahead with the display. A local teenager, Billie Sandford-Hill, and her mum also got in touch to offer any help.
“We’ve got a snow scene with real snow and lots of other illuminations and we’ll be collecting for the Children’s Hospital.”
Over the years Mr Southern has received thanks from people around the world for the effort he has put into his displays and raised thousands of pounds for good causes.
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by Stan Fermunder, Land of the living, rather than the living dead.
Monday, December 01 2008, 8:23PM
“Tacky, tasteless titilation. Alex, Bristol commented on 01-Dec-2008 14:13
Not unlike your comment then, Mr Kerr. Just because YOU live a puritanical lifestyle, don't think everyones life is as shallow as yours.
Perhaps you could ask Santa for a personality, you one trick, miserable, puritanical cycling clown.”
by Frances, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 2:59PM
“It cheers me up on the way to and from work. Why are people so mean spirited. I hope the Southerns continue their good work for as long as they are able. I bet the people who are moaning about the decorations are glad that the Christmas tree on College Green has been felled yet again (note the vandals have won again) - we hadn't even seen it. I would like to say to all of you moaners - you only have one life - so get one!”
by Frances, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 2:54PM
“The display always cheers me up when driving to and from work. Why are people so mean spirited are they just born like that? I bet all of you who are complaining are glad the vandalised Christmas tree has not been been replaced again on College Green too. (We didn't even get a chance to see it) There's too much misery around at the moment you only have one life - so get one!”
by Anna, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 2:48PM
“Its makes my day when driving past on my way home from work, and as for tacky and chavness let he not cast the first stone and all that. Merry Christmas Mr and Mrs Southern and please keep doing it!”
by Steve, Glastonbury
Monday, December 01 2008, 2:31PM
“This tasteless lunacy will be particularly comforting to any of his neighbours who have lost their jobs at this time of celebrating wasted money.
I do hope the wiring for this has been inspected to 17th Edition Wiring Regs? Cue SWEB!!”
by Alex, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 2:13PM
“Tacky, tasteless titilation.”
by John, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 1:53PM
“And before the spelling pleece (sic) say anything, I meant to type 'hardly', not 'harldy...”
by sid, bedminster
Monday, December 01 2008, 1:53PM
“I wonder If these kind donaters would consider giving money to the people whose lives are devistated by global warming for which tacky waste of electricity is directly causing.”
by John, Bristol
Monday, December 01 2008, 1:52PM
“"Over the years Mr Southern has received thanks from people around the world for the effort he has put into his displays and raised thousands of pounds for good causes."
Harldy the behaviour of a chav, is it?
Has anyone else noticed how, with each passing year, the miserable, bah humbug brigade seem to come out earlier and earlier?”
by GEORGE, BRISTOL
Monday, December 01 2008, 1:51PM
“I shall be taking my grandchildren to see this display again this year. Congratulations to Mr Southern for proving that Bristol is not full of miserable people. Hope you raise plenty for charity.”