Dorset lights up in creative display
• Dorset Christmas Lights Competition winners Nigel and Samantha Bessell of Scottsdale celebrating with their $600 cash prize!
By Taylor Clyne
December 23, 2020
The second annual Dorset Christmas Lights Competition proved that once you start a good thing, it can only grow with entry numbers close to doubling and the region sparkling just a little bit brighter.
The Advertiser were thrilled to see so many new entries and those returning for a second year adding to their displays in the most unique, thoughtful and creative ways - it truly ignited our Christmas fever.
Entries spanned the entire municipality with the community option to decorate their homes in Telita, Scottsdale, Springfield and Bridport.
Local Christmas light lady Joanne Bowen joined community representative Jo Hayes and a representative from the paper in separately judging each entrant over Wednesday and Thursday nights.
They scored each home under a strict and confidential points system looking for visual impact, uniqueness, creativity, attention to detail and traditional Christmas themes.
After an independent tallied the three judges’ scores, we are thrilled to announce that first time entrants Nigel and Samantha Bessell of Scottsdale walked away with first place winning $600 cash for Christmas!
The father daughter duo said they were thrilled with the news.
“We used to set up lights about five years ago and decided to get back into it this year because 2020 has been such a horrible year for so many so we wanted to make people happy,” Sam said.
Nigel said they based their designs on what they had previously done and used LED lights which are much brighter to accentuate the features of the house.
“Our front yard is quite small, so we needed to cover the house in lights to really stand out.
“We’ve been up on the ladders a lot and spend quite a bit of time on the roof,” Nigel laughed.
“Sam is the main driver of the display; she’s followed my designs – it's been a lot of fun putting it together.
“We’re definitely going a lot bigger next year.”
Sam said it was great to see the community get around the competition so much.
“It would be nice to make it so big that people drive out from Launceston to see the lights in the town.
“We’d like to thank those who sponsored the competition and those who entered, the lights look great this year,” she concluded.
Second place was awarded to Michaela Carins of Scottsdale receiving $350 and third place went to Matthew and Deyarna Muir of Springfield receiving the $150 cash prize.
Those who won first, second and third last year were deducted handicap points this year which saw both Carins and Muir still become placegetters after having points deducted which is to be commended.
The amazing cash prizes are thanks to our generous sponsors Pineview Dairies, Dorset Council and the North-Eastern Advertiser.
Judge Jo Hayes said she found the task of judging difficult due to the high number of entries.
“The attention to detail on some of the entries is to be commended, the blow-up pieces certainly added a new dimension – a great effort had been put in by all,” she said.
Joanne Bowen congratulated everyone on their exceptional effort.
“Being a lover of Christmas and light displays it was so nice to see the town getting into the Christmas spirit,” she said.
“It was so nice to see more entrants in the competition and putting in time and effort into their displays.
“The competition was creative this year with people using different things in their displays but it would be nice to see some more traditional things used.
“Overall I love seeing the municipality getting into the Christmas spirit,” she added.
Further placings that did not receive a prize but are worth being noted include: Donna and John Davis of Scottsdale in fourth, Kerry Hayes of Scottsdale in fifth, Denise Dunn of Bridport in sixth and Matthew and Kristy Knight of Scottsdale in seventh.
Scores were exceptionally close, congratulations and thanks are extended to all entries. We look forward to growing bigger and better in 2021.
• The winning home on George Street Scottsdale.
Festive letterboxes a real treat for all
• Open category winner Denise Dunn of Bridport.
• Under 10 category winner Kadence Child of Scottsdale.
• 10-18 years category winner Ryan Kettle of Lietinna.
Our sister Letterbox Competition went from strength to strength this year with more than forty creative entries received spanning the municipality.
The competition was aimed at those who still wanted to get into the Christmas spirit but couldn’t commit to decorating an entire house.
Surprisingly our open category was the most popular this year with lots of residents turning their letterboxes into artistic master pieces.
Our judge Mayor Greg Howard said picking winners was extremely difficult with so many entries catching his eye.
From metres and metres of tinsel, lights, an Australian bush theme, elves, candy canes, gingerbread houses, paint, upcycled ideas, papier-mache and more.
Winners are listed as follows:
Under 10 category: first $100: Kadence Child of Scottsdale, second $50: Lily Muir of Springfield and third $25: Riley and Addison Young of Scottsdale.
10-18 years category: first $100: Ryan Kettle of Lietinna, second $50: Regan Colgrave of Scottsdale and third $25: Larni Evans of Springfield.
Open category: first $100: Denise Dunn of Bridport, second $50: Tracey Brown of Scottsdale and third $25: Rex and Shirley Davies of Scottsdale.
All winners will be contacted by the Advertiser today.