A festive fanatic who adorns his house with thousands of lights created his biggest display yet – as a tribute to his Christmas-loving late partner.
Paul Bibby, 59, has been decorating his home in Chelmsford, Essex, with an amazing Christmas light display for the past 18 years.
He strings up over 30,000 lights with 70,000 bulbs as well as huge inflatable festive figures including a snowman and Santa Claus.
Paul lost his partner, Lynda Cummings, 61, this October – and Lynda had loved the feel-good festivites from Paul’s decorations.
So this year, Paul’s biggest display yet has been dedicated to Lynda, who passed away unexpectedly of heart problems.
Paul is considering making this year his last, and so is determined to make it his best yet – despite the £300+ electricity bill.
To show his love for Lynda, he has implemented a sign which reads ‘My lights are dedicated to Lynda’.
Paul said: “I had put half of the lights up when Lynda passed away, and I didn’t know whether to continue or take them down.
“I thought – you’ve started this, so you’ve got to finish it.
“Lynda was a big fan of the lights – and before she got ill she’d fill our house with decorations.
“She liked us to do it properly.
“So for Linda, my lights this year are the best ever.
“Every year, I tell myself I can’t do any better, but every year I manage to improve again!
“I’ve got some new raindrop ones that look great.”
“I’ve got more lights plugged in than ever – more bloody plugs that I have to switch on every day!”
Paul began the tradition in December 2005 with a single string of lights and goes bigger and better every year.
All the inflatable props take 45 minutes to be blown up every morning and deflated every night by Paul – with help from his son Aaron Bibby, 37.
People flock from all over the UK to take a look at his iconic display, which he creates in honour of Essex Air Ambulance and takes donations.
He said: “Last year I made £2,500 in donations for charity.”
Paul added: “There’s a little bit of me thinking I might make this year my last – I feel very lost without Lynda at the minute.
“This is for her.”
