Southsea streets to be lit up with creative displays on stained glass Advent Windows trail

Taking place from Saturday, December 12, to January 2, the Southsea Advent Windows Trail is returning for a second year of festive outdoor fun.

Set up by Taswell Road resident Vicky Heard, the trail will feature displays across Southsea and each road has a numbered window to find.

Vicky, 40, said: ‘Last year was the first year and we just had 24. This year, we want to keep growing it and make it bigger.

‘We’re getting whole streets involved so people can look throughout the whole street and find the number. People will have loads more to look at.

‘Obviously this year has been really rubbish for everybody so it’ll be great to have something for people to do outdoors with the kids.’

From Saturday, stained glass window-style decorations will be illuminated from dusk along Albert Road, Allens Road, Auckland Road East, Chatham Drive, Chelsea Road, Clarendon Road, Craneswater Park, Darlington Road, Duncan Road, Francis Avenue, Gains Road, Hunter Road, Jessie Road, Leopold Road, Marion Road, Marmion Road, Napier Road, Nettlecombe Avenue, Parkstone Avenue, St Helen's Parade and Taswell Road.

Last year, the event raised around £120 for homelessness charity Shelter, and this year’s offering aims to raise even more funds to help.

Vicky added: ‘We’re lucky enough to have windows to do a display in - it’s trying to give something back to people who aren’t lucky enough to be able to do something like this.

SEE ALSO: A Christmas drive-in cinema is coming to Hampshire - here's which films are being shown

‘We have had loads more people up for it this year which is really nice. Last year it was so nice and I must admit when I started it I wasn’t sure what to expect.

‘So much work had gone into it and I was really blown away by how creative they were, I feel like I need to step mine up this year.’

It’s not too late to get your house or road involved in the fun event, although all 24 numbers have a home, more displays are always welcome.

Visit facebook.com/southseaadventwindows for more information or to donate.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as fewer adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts at just £2 a month for the first two months.