30 Years of Beech Road Christmas Lights – 2025

A tradition of joy, kindness and remembrance

This year is incredibly special for our family, as it marks 30 years of my mum lighting up her home on Beech Road with her beautiful Christmas display. What began three decades ago as a handful of lights has grown into a much-loved tradition for families across St Albans and beyond. Every year the display has become brighter, bigger, and more meaningful — and it continues to bring people together in the most wonderful way.

At the heart of it all is my mum — the driving force, the organiser, the one still climbing up on the roof herself. Her dedication, determination, and love for bringing people joy is what has kept this tradition alive for three decades. None of this would exist without her. In recent years she has been supported by my brother and his family, who help her get everything up, fixed, lifted and running — especially as the display has grown bigger and more complex. Their help means the world to her, and this tradition continues because of their hard work together.

Why we raise money

Over the years, my mum has raised funds for many different charities, but in recent years she has focused on two that mean the world to our family.

She has always supported Marie Curie Mount Vernon, who cared for my dad many years ago during his battle with cancer. Because of their care, we were given 14 precious extra years with him — years we will always be grateful for. We then tragically and very suddenly lost him in October 2020, and not a day goes by that he isn’t missed. Supporting Marie Curie is our way of giving back for the time they gave us together.

Mum also proudly raises money for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her dear friend Colin Ralph, who helped her every single year with the Christmas lights. Colin sadly passed away in February 2022, and continuing to collect in his honour has meant so much to everyone who knew him.

A special meaning this 30th year

This year, the display carries an especially heartfelt new layer of meaning.

Lizzie, the wife of the late Ronn Tapp — who many will remember for his wonderful Christmas lights on Sandpit Lane — has made a truly generous gesture. She donated all of Ronn’s Christmas lights to my mum so they can continue shining as part of the Beech Road display.

Ronn was loved locally for spreading Christmas cheer, and he raised money for Marie Curie too. Including his lights in this 30-year anniversary feels like a beautiful way to honour him, and many of his lights will be shining brightly this year in his memory.

It means so much that this year’s display remembers my Dad, Colin, and Ronn — three men whose light continues to shine through the memories and moments they left behind.

Light Switch-On

The lights will be switched on:

Sunday 14th December at 5pm

How to support

There is a collection box on my mum’s drive raising funds for:

• Marie Curie Mount Vernon

• The Alzheimer’s Society

We know these are difficult times, so please only donate if you are able to.

Sharing this page or simply visiting the lights means more than you know.

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Thank you for visiting the lights over the years.

And thank you for supporting the charities that have supported our family and so many others.

We hope this year’s 30th anniversary display brings you joy, comfort and a little bit of Christmas magic — and that the lights continue to shine in honour of the people we miss and the memories we cherish.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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