Crow Lane cottages raise thousands during festive period in Newton

Starting as a festive "porch competition" a few years ago, the festive lights on Crow Lane East have become a tradition that attracts residents and families from across Newton-le-Willows and St Helens.

With neighbours illuminating their cottages and houses from top to bottom in honour of Willowbrook Hospice, the road's annual light switch-on had choir singing, mulled wine stands, and had guests lining the streets in early December.

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The cottages attract people from all over the borough (Image: Crow Lane Cottages)
As Willowbrook is a charity that all the neighbours have a connection with, the group has raised money for the palliative care hospice since 2018 through online and in-person donations.

Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, the homeowners have raised more than £3,300 over the festive period, which has risen to more than £4,000 with Gift Aid contributions.

This means that the Crow Lane cottages have raised around £15,000 for Willowbrook since its fundraising began around five years ago, while helping to spread festive cheer across the borough.

The homeowners have raised tens of thousands for Willowbrook Hospice (Image: Crow Lane Cottages)
Speaking during this year's festive period, one of the cottage owners Andrew Marsh said: "We have kids and families coming most nights to the lights, and one of our neighbours sits out every night to have a chat with them and take them into the gardens.

"Considering it's a busy world, it's great to see so many people coming out to it and that more and more houses have gotten involved too.

"We do have really lovely neighbours here and it does bring everyone together."

The festive lights will return at the end of 2024 (Image: Crow Lane Cottages)

The Crow Lane lights are planned to be taken down this weekend and will continue the tradition towards the end of 2024.