Chigwell Window Centre in Collier Row switches its Christmas lights on

The display was unveiled yesterday with the lights switched on by the local MP

Chigwell Window Centre in Collier Row has switched on the Christmas lights for its “Window Wonderland” display.

The business in Chase Cross Road held a socially-distanced ceremony to mark the start of the festive season.

The display was designed by Lewis Ralph, a year seven pupil at Marshalls Park Academy.

Lewis, 12, included pine trees, a snowman, and a rainbow in his design, which was voted the winner of a competition run by Collier Row Community Group and Havering Colleges.

Lewis Ralph in front of the window display, which is based on a picture he drew

Lewis, who was encouraged to enter by his Auntie Michelle, said he pictured a winter wonderland in his head and that inspired the drawing that won the competition.

“I thought of snow, mountains, and snow men, and lots of pine trees,” he said. “So that gave me the inspiration to draw this.”

Creative art students from Havering Colleges have brought his design to life in the centre’s front window.

Lewis added that he was “pretty blown away” when he saw the display that was created from his work.

Left to right: Sunny Attlas, Andrew Rosindell, Lewis Ralph, Ammo Singh, and Dean Floyd

The Chigwell Window Centre, part of the Chigwell Group, is also donating more than 1,000 advent calendars to local families.

They can be picked up by anyone who wants one. To collect a calendar, visit the Chigwell Window Centre in Chase Cross Road.

Dean Floyd, the managing director of Chigwell Group, said this year’s display and festivities had to be scaled back.

“Normal years, we have reindeer outside but obviously due to Covid that’s not permitted this year,” he told Time 107.5FM. “We had a meeting with the London Borough of Havering and agreed not to do that but to continue with a theme that would give some sort of festive cheer.

“We’ve done that and we’ve got Lewis, who’s the winner. To him and his family, we’ve donated a meal for four in our restaurant in South Woodford, The Gallery.”

The lights were switched on by the MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell.

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