Winter Wonderland attracts hundreds but rain has impact
HEAVY afternoon rain hit numbers at this year’s Winter Wonderland charity event.
However hundreds of people still turned out for the event, armed with waterproofs and torches.
This was the 22nd year that the Bachmanns have opened up their illuminated St Saviour’s garden for the evening, in aid of Cancer Research UK (Guernsey) and the Lions Club of Guernsey.
However on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the event was due to begin, the heavens opened and a deluge of rain covered the island.
Local Cancer Research chairwoman Andie Fuller said it had created a challenge.
‘At 3pm I was completely drenched,’ she said.
‘We were really worried about the weather and we did think “should we cancel?”. But it’s a heck of a thing to cancel. At 4pm the rain stopped.’
Dozens of volunteers were on hand to ensure the event ran smoothly, including people from both charities and the cadets.
Mrs Fuller said they were very grateful to Frankie and Peter Bachmann, who put on the dozens of displays, which include thousands of bulbs.
In the garden there was an illuminated gingerbread house, sleigh and snowman, as well as a Lego Santa on an island in the pond.
Father Christmas had a long queue during the evening, as children were keen to share ideas about what they wanted for Christmas.
Mrs Fuller said the earlier wet weather did seem to have hit the numbers.
‘It is a pity because the weather in the end was perfect – dry and mild,’ she said.
Among the families donning wellies to explore the garden was Michelle Young, with her son Thomas Green, 7, and step-daughter Josie Young, also 7.
Thomas said they came to look at the lights every year.
‘They are really cool,’ he said.
His mum said they always enjoyed the event.
‘It’s really fun,’ she said.
Stephanie and Peter Ferreira brought along their 17-month-old son Theo to see the lights.
‘We have never been before,’ Mrs Ferreira said.
‘Theo has never seen so many lights.’
Lee Hulse came to the event with children Katie, 7, and Ollie, 6.
‘We last came two years ago and we wanted to come back,’ he said.
‘They put on a good show and it’s all for charity.’
