Living advent calendar lights up Longstanton

The extra mile is being put into a walk around one South Cambridgeshire village this year by residents who are lighting up their windows as part of a living advent calendar.

Longstanton resident Libby White has organised the event, which started on Friday, December 1, and will bring an extra dash of Christmas spirit to the village until January 5.

Widows will be illuminated with various christmas scenes, with something new to look at each day leading up to Christmas Day as another scene is revealed.

Libby said: “There’s a lot of change happening in Longstanton at the moment with Northstowe being constructed, so we’re bringing the community together.

“I heard about another village doing a living advent calendar on the radio last year while I was walking around the village with the dog, as you do, and so I put it to the parish council this year.

“Some might have a stained glass window effect or a picture or statues. The idea is that they put up a display in the window and leave it up. It’s a bit like a chocolate advent calendar, once the window gets opened it stays open.”

There are 27 displays, and people on the village website are already lining up to be a part of the advent calendar next year.

A map that shows the location and dates of the windows being revealed is available at community.longstantonvillage.org.

Libby continued: “Even the dentist is doing one and they were one of the first to sign up, and there a several other businesses taking part as well as residents, and the pub is of course involved too.

“Number one is a lovely thatched cottage, and I know my husband is preparing one but everyone is keeping the details of their displays very close to their chest!

“If there’s a beautiful clear sky on a crisp winter evening it will be a lovely walk around the village.”