Over three nights in late December, villagers in Tollerton put on a festive feel good display to raise everyone’s Christmas spirit.
The challenge was to create a decorative display to be included in a walking – or “wandering” – route around the whole village – our winter wanderland.
Anyone wishing to wander was able to download a map of the whole wanderland and visit the displays from 5.30-8.30pm every evening over the weekend before Christmas.
In total there were 40 locations to visit, plus a huge amount of extra Christmas lights around Tollerton. Villagers making displays were joined by contributions from Tollerton School, Muddy Feet, Tollerton’s Community Pub the Air Hostess and an amazing display from three talented local artists in the village centre.
The Story behind our Wanderland
The Wanderland was dreamt up in November when committee members from the Tollerton Community Trust – who organise the annual village fayre – came up with the idea for a Covid safe Christmas activity. A window wanderland ticked all the boxes.
The group rapidly gained support from Tollerton Parish Council and Rushcliffe Rotary Club with both kindly providing sponsorship to help buy into the national format. From there progress was straightforward with Window Wanderland hosting a website packed with ideas and instructions for potential window makers.
What is a Wanderland?
Window Wanderlands have existed for a few years and have gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic, featured on the One Show and national media. Tollerton is the only village in Nottinghamshire registered to organise a Window Wanderland and the winter themed display being a first for the County.
In Tollerton, residents were able to sign up to be “makers” getting access to top tips on how to make a display and putting their window on the map. Then it was over to them to do the hard work with brightly coloured tissue paper and lights to create the amazing displays. Some even included moving images and sound.
See the Windows
Whilst the displays have now gone, everyone involved in the activity was invited to send in a photo of their window display. You can see some of the fantastic window displays in our gallery below:
With many of the usual Christmas events cancelled the wanderland offered a cheery covid safe activity that gave everyone a real lift.
Were grateful to the Village Fayre Team and everyone who contributed for pulling this together so swiftly. Tollerton is a family friendly village and we love Christmas, so hopefully well see this activity repeated in 2021.
Tollerton Parish Council