Cottam is set to become Lancashire’s Christmas capital this year with a new campaign.
AdvertisementFor the last eight years, the suburb’s Tipping family home has been decked in thousands upon thousands of fairy lights and its garden transformed into a festive wonderland from the beginning of December through to early January in support of a quartet of local charities.
Now this year, other Cottam residents are set to follow the Tippings’ lead as part of a ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’ campaign.
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The campaign is the idea of primary school teacher Samantha Metcalf, who lives in Cottam with husband Gregg and children Oscar and Olive.
Samantha is encouraging residents to light up their homes to make this Christmas as merry and bright as possible.
Samantha said: “I think we all need some Christmas magic this year and so the plan is to make Cottam sparkle to bring joy to all.
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“Over the period of the spring lockdown and later restrictions, Cottam Community Facebook users organised various treasure hunts that involved walking around the village looking for the likes of fairy doors or painted stones, which was lovely for the children.
“The ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’ campaign is similar really. How magical to walk round in family groups or even on your own looking at all the twinkling lights, shining to bring hope and a community hug to everyone.”
Cottam is set to light up from Wednesday 2 December, and on Saturday 5 December, a camera drone is set to fly over the village to capture its festive glow.
A beacon will doubtlessly be the Tippings’ house, belonging to Mark Tipping, wife Nicola and their children Sam, Joe and Isaac.
Transforming it into a seasonal spectacle has raised a staggering £81,400 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Preston Headway and the Jordan Grant 18 Memorial Fund from the thousands of well-wishers, whose Christmas tradition now includes a visit to the house to spot the Tippings’ latest decorations.
Mark said: “Every year, we introduce new installations and features so the display is always different. We have a new animated unicorn for this year along with some fat robins and Christmas puds. I have also had special Santa and snowman signs made to remind visitors to keep socially distanced!”
“I am delighted that this year we are being joined by the ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’ campaign, which is also supporting our four charities. Hopefully, it will help to bring in additional donations for them as it’s been a tough year for all charities.”
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The Tippings collect donations via a wishing well feature that is part of their display. The wishing well is emptied daily and is monitored by CCTV supplied free of charge by security company Vuetek, of Red Scar Business Park, Preston.
For anyone who cannot visit but would still like to support the Tippings and ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’, click here.
Proud Preston. This, and many stories like it, show how the people of Preston are making a difference. Our Proud Preston section showcases all the charitable, kind, uplifting and great things about our city and the people who live here. #ProudPreston is alive and well, and there’s much to celebrate and be proud of, despite the challenging times we all face.
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Will you be taking part in ‘Let’s Make Cottam Sparkle’? Let us know in the comments below