THE streets of Romsey were lit up this month to celebrate the end of a challenging year and for the town’s Christmas in Romsey 2020 Lights and Decorations Competition.
Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association president Jenny Stillman said it had been a challenging year.
The competition saw people challenged by the association to decorate their homes, fences, gates, hedges, or business fronts with a Christmas theme, with the top three in each category to be awarded a prize.
“The lights and decorations competition element of Bendigo Bank Christmas In Romsey 2020 was generously supported by Romsey IGA,” she said.
“Despite the challenging year, the lights and decorations competition element of Christmas in Romsey 2020 has been warmly embraced by the businesses and homes that entered, and community members and visitors who have gained pleasure from viewing the decorations.”
The winners in the home category were Deborah Young and Daniel Richards at 6 Lucerne Close, Andrew and Rebecca Bowen at 14 Rye Court, and Michelle Maslen and family at 38 White Avenue.
Winners in the fence, gate, and hedge category were the Fabris family at 1792 Romsey Road, Michael and Mandy Meehan at 156 Main Street, and Jim Kouts and Helen Lambropoulos at 158 Main Street.
Business winners were Old Mates Café, in its fifth year, Chess Property Consultants, and Ruby Blue Hairdressing.
“The Old Mates Café window has become a traditional favourite and again won the business category of the competition,” Ms Stillman said.
“Many thanks to east ward councillors Annette Death and Geoff Neil, and Bendigo Bank Romsey staff Leanne Hammond and Ellen Milburn for being available to judge the competition.
“In addition, many homes were decorated which chose not be in the completion. Combined with the Main Street Christmas Tree displays (90 trees) and the Community Hub and Fountain illumination weekend, Romsey has embraced the Christmas spirit in the year of COVID 19.
“Bendigo Bank has been a wonderful sponsor of Christmas In Romsey 2020.”
An interactive map of Romsey’s lights and decorations can be viewed at bit.ly/3mFGuHk.