The truly magical and meticulously designed Christmas lights display at Goldcrest Close in Carisbrooke, which took more than 3 months to put up, has been revealed as the winner of Light up the Wight 2022!
Islanders once again jumped in their cars – or on the sold-out Southern Vectis Christmas Lights tour bus – to enjoy the amazing array of festive lights across the Island, with 22 displays included on this year’s map.
The winning display at Goldcrest Close, by Matt Whitham, stands out from the crowd as a very bright, well-put-together and well-thought-out display. It is such a popular display that motorists are asked to park elsewhere and walk up the quiet residential street.
Matt starts putting things together in the Summer, working in his spare time to carefully curate the display. His efforts raised £2,155 for charity, with £1,077.50 going to both Wessex Cancer Trust and Samaritans Isle of Wight.
Taking 2nd place in this year’s competition is Wellesley Way in Newport. The display, curated by Martin Penney, is unique in that it is made up entirely from computer-controlled LED lights which flash in time to the music. It’s a firm favourite amongst Islanders and was crowned Light up the Wight winner in 2018.
In 3rd place is a display that has grown rapidly in recent years and is now firmly cemented as 1 of the best displays on the Island – Bannock Road in Whitwell. Put together by Shane Thornton and his dad, Andy, the display lights up the night sky with a unique, handmade ‘Merry Christmas’ across the roof.
This South Wight display, which will no doubt be vying for the top spot in 2023, has made headlines in the past 2 years for ‘ditto’ and ‘show off’ lights in the neighbouring garden.
Bannock Road raised £1,471 in 2022 – a record amount.
Thanks to the continued support of event sponsor Southern Vectis, the top 3 displays have each received prize money to put towards this year’s display. Goldcrest Close receives £400, Wellesley Way in Newport receives £200 and Bannock Road, Whitwell £100.
The cost of living crisis meant fewer big displays lit up for 2022 – meaning a reduction in entries from 37 to 22 – although it is hoped that things will return to normal this coming Christmas.
Light up the Wight will return in 2023 with entries set to open in November. For updates see www.islandecho.co.uk/xmas.
Light up the Wight 2022 – Top 3 Results |
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| 1st | Goldcrest Close, Carisbrooke |
| 2nd | Wellesley Way, Newport |
| 3rd | Bannock Road, Whitwell |
Personally it’s Whitwell for me, great job as always.
Amazing, lifts the heart in troubled times….Well done to all that made this happen…x
Wait till he gets his electric bill LOL
Probably works for the council,, so a few ‘envelops’ will help.
Its great to see other well presented displays as can get a bit monotonous same display same people taking the limelight
top 3 this year look great and obviously a lot of effort well done
Goldcrest close is a pain for all the other residents around there, cars parking on the pavements and down all the other roads around, we couldn’t park on our drive on numerous occasions because it was blocked by “lights viewers”
Thanks for you’re comment. It’s for one month a year…for 4 hours a night. All visitors are kindly reminded to park elsewhere and not block driveways etc.
Not like there is an energy price crunch at the moment and people can’t afford to hear their houses or eat. Good job tho!