text: The Sleighbourhood - Mirror Online
  The Sleighbourhood
  The story behind the quiet road that turns into a wonderland of Christmas lights.
  02:00, 23 DEC 2007
  They call it the Noel Neighbourhood. Every year, a quiet cul-de-sac in the Oxfordshire village of Long Hanborough is transformed into a Christmas wonderland that draws visitors from far and wide.
  From October, the residents of six of the 29 houses in this sleepy close begin to unpack boxes, unravel metre upon metre of fairy lights and dust off plastic Santas and snowmen.
  It all started 19 years ago, when Geoff Simpson at No 5 put up some fairy lights and stuck a few figures in his front garden.
  But things really took off in 2001, when childhood friend George Groves moved in across the road. The pair started to compete with each other to see who could produce the most elaborate display.
  Over the years, others in Roosevelt Road joined in the fun as family members became neighbours and neighbours became friends. Now the street is a festive delight, attracting thousands of people from all over Britain.
  But behind the bright lights lies a tale of sadness and tears. Six years ago, Geoff and wife Jane's oldest son Darryll was diagnosed with leukaemia at 29. So that year they decided to turn the displays into a fund-raising event for the haemotology ward where he was successfully treated.
  Then, shortly before Christmas last year, cancer struck the street again and George Groves died at the age of 69. For his widow Jill, Christmas lost much of its sparkle. However this year Jill, her son Mick, 46, and her sister Judy, 60, who both live in the close too, have all put on bumper displays.
  "I know this is what George would have wanted," said Jill, 66. "Every year he drove miles trying to find something different to enthral the children. This Christmas we are hoping to help Geoff and Jane bring the grand total they have raised over the years to £25,000."
  Coach driver Geoff, 57, said: "The most we have raised in a season for the leukaemia support work at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where Darryll was treated was £2,500. However this year, with all the increased support and publicity, we are aiming for £3,000."
  He said things got off to a great start with local celebrities at the Grand Opening on December 2. Operatic starlet Zoe Mace, 12, ex-Chelsea and Oxford United footballer Peter Rhoades-Brown and BBC Radio Oxford presenter Jo Thoenes kicked off proceedings. Geoff and Jane have also converted their garden shed into a Santa's grotto and Darryll, now restored to health, is in charge of the Christmas punch which the visitors enjoy as they wander around the displays. And family friend Keith James, 34, is gearing up to play Santa. "For the past two weeks we've had perfect winter weather – dry and very cold, great for viewing the lights!" said Geoff. "We have also been given pride of place in a new book, Christmas Houses (£9.99, Transworld). It has put us on the map."
  "Today (December 23) will be the biggest day. Father Christmas is bracing himself and the grotto is stacked to the ceiling with presents," said Jane, 54, who wrapped all the gifts herself.
  "Last Sunday we had people queuing for up to an hour to visit Santa's grotto, and this Sunday, thanks to all the publicity, we are expecting hundreds of excited children."
  "It will be manic," said Geoff as he donned a thick jacket. He was off to climb a ladder to refill the roof-mounted machine that gives everyone a good dose of "snow" as they enter his extraordinary front garden.
  The display will continue until Twelfth Night on January 6.
  Then everything will go... the grotto will revert, Cinderella-fashion, back into a humble garden shed and all the equipment will be packed up and locked away until next October, when Geoff, Jane and their neighbours will begin the whole process again.
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