Helmdon Advent Windows

Helmdon Advent Windows are lighting up our village between 4.30 and 9.00pm from their 'opening' date until at least the 27th December.

Location maps for Helmdon Advent Windows 2022:

• VIEW or DOWNLOAD MAP here (PDF 700KB). This will display or download (depending on your browser settings). You can print from the displayed map, or open and print the downloaded file (with e.g. Adobe Acrobat reader).
• PRINTED MAPS have been kindly donated by Texprep Brackley. These are on noticeboards or collect from the Church or Village Café (Village Café, Reading Room, 29th Nov, 10am-midday).

Alternatively, you may view / download / print just the list of addresses from the link below:

ADVENT WINDOWS 2022 – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE! - posted 25 September 2022

We are hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for the eighth time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. In order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear by mid-October that we have enough participants so we would be very grateful for quick responses.

You can see what was done in previous years on the village website (advent-windows-archive.html) and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed.

We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the website.

If you:
- live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
- are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
- are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people
please let Ann Netten (01280 851168 apnetten@hotmail.com) or Jenny Overson (01295 760677 oversonjenny@gmail.com) know:
- your name and address
- your email address and
- any preference you have about dates
Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the website and map so people can look for your window. No names or email addresses will be shared without your permission.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 15th October.

• MAP of Helmdon Advent Window 2021 locations is here (PDF 814KB). This will display or download the map (depending on your browser settings). You can print from the displayed map, or open and print the downloaded file (with e.g. Adobe Acrobat reader). There are also printed maps on village noticeboards.

Update - All Advent Windows now have volunteers - Thankyou
posted 15 November 2021

ADVENT WINDOWS - AT LEAST 10 MORE VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED… - posted 01 October 2021

Many thanks to all those who have volunteered their windows to form part of this year's Helmdon Living Advent Calendar. However, the response has not been as good a usual this year and at the time of writing we still need at least 10 more volunteers. It will be such a shame if we are not able to repeat the success of previous years – see advent-windows-archive.html. Do you think you can help?
The aim is to have decorated and illuminated windows 'opened' from the beginning of December so, by Christmas Eve, 24 windows are regularly lit up every evening. As well as looking at the windows from previous years, a Google search on 'Advent windows' will show you ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows in other villages in the past. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope to have photos of the windows on the village website and Facebook pages.
If you:
- live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
- are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
- are interested in participating
please get in touch with Ann Netten (..) or Jenny Overson (..) by 17 October so we can give people good notice of their date by letting them know in early November.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Ann Netten

ADVENT WINDOWS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE! - posted 9 September 2021

We are hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for the seventh time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. In order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear by mid-October that we have enough participants so we would be very grateful for quick responses.

You can see what was done in previous years on the village website (advent-windows-archive.html) and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed.

We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the website.

If you:
- live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
- are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
- are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people
please let Ann Netten or Jenny Overson know:
- your name and address
- your email address and
- any preference you have about dates

Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the website and map so people can look for your window. No names or email addresses will be shared without your permission.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 17th October.

Ann Netten

• MAP of Helmdon Advent Windows 2020 is available here for printing (2 x A4 pages). It is a PDF file 813KB - Clicking the blue link will display or download the map (depending on your browser settings). You should be able to print from the displayed map, or open and print the downloaded file (with e.g. Adobe Acrobat reader).
  • If printing is not possible, there will be large printed maps on all village noticeboards.
  • Alternatively, you can see (or download/open/print) just the addresses by clicking here. PDF file 100KB.

ADVENT WINDOWS 2020 – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE! - posted 07 September 2020

Despite COVID 19 we are very much hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for the sixth time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. In order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear by mid-October that we have enough participants so we would be very grateful for quick responses.
You can see what was done in previous years on the village website (advent-windows-archive.html) and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the new website(s) and Facebook page.
If you:
- live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
- are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
- are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people
please let Ann Netten or Jenny Overson know:
- your name and address
- your email address and
- any preference you have about dates
Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the website and map so people can look for your window. No names or email addresses will be shared without your permission.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 16th October 2020.

The Helmdon Advent Windows Map for 2019 is now complete! - Posted 22 Nov 2019

Take a look at where the Advent windows will be lighting up our village.

Windows will be lit between 4.30 and 9.00pm from their 'opening' date until at least the 27th December.

Click here to download map (634KB PDF)

ADVENT WINDOWS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE! - Posted as News Item 07 Sep 2019

We are very much hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for the fifth time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. In order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear by mid-October that we have enough participants so we would be very grateful for quick responses.
You can see what was done in previous years on the village website by clicking the link here and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the new website(s) and Facebook page.
If you:
- live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
- are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
- are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people please let Ann Netten or Jenny Overson know:
- your name and address
- your email address and
- any preference you have about dates
Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the website and map so people can look for your window. No names or email addresses will be shared without your permission.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 13th October.

Christmas Eve Advent window to be unveiled at the Reading Room - Posted 19 December 2018

Come to the lighting of the advent window at 4.30 on Christmas Eve. Mulled wine and mince pies to celebrate!

Days 1 & 2 of the Helmdon Advent Windows are now open! - Posted: Sun, 02 Dec 2018

The Helmdon Advent Windows are day by day being opened. Take a look at what we have opened already!

• Click here to see the Advent Windows 2018

Helmdon Advent Windows Map 2018 now available to download - Posted: Sun, 25 Nov 2018

The Helmdon Advent Windows Map is now complete! - Take a look at where this years' advent windows will be lighting up our village.

Windows will be lit between 5:00 and 9.00pm from their "opening" date until at least the 27th December. If weather permits we are planning an informal walk round the village on Boxing Day to view all the windows, taking the opportunity to look at all the other Christmas decorations. We will be starting at 5:00pm at the church and ending up at the pub. Do come and join us if you are able.

• Advent Windows Map 2018 (PDF, 636 Kb)

Advent Windows 2018 - Volunteers Needed Please! - posted 02 September 2018

We are very much hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for a fourth time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. In order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear by mid-October that we have enough participants so we would be very grateful for quick responses.

You can see what was done in previous years here, and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the new website(s) and Facebook page.

If you:

• live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until after Christmas and
• are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people

please let Ann Netten or Jenny Overson know:

• your name and address
• your email address and
• any preference you have about dates

We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 14^th October.

A Reminder: Seven Volunteers Still Needed - posted 18 September 2017

Many thanks to all those who have volunteered their windows to form part of this year's Helmdon Living Advent Calendar. We are delighted that the school will be starting us off again with the first one on 1 December and that number 24 will be the church porch on Christmas Eve. However, at the time of writing we still need seven volunteers – could you help?

The aim is to have decorated and illuminated windows 'opened' from the beginning of December so, by Christmas Eve, 24 windows are regularly lit up every evening. As well as the windows from last year, a Google search on 'Advent windows' will show you ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows in other villages in the past. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope to have photos of the windows on the village website and Facebook page.

If you:

• live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until Christmas and
• are interested in participating

please get in touch with Ann Netten or Jenny Overson

We look forward to hearing from you.

Advent Windows - Volunteers Needed PLEASE - posted 24 July 2017

We are very much hoping to turn Helmdon into a Living Advent Calendar for a third time this year with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening between 1 December and Christmas Eve. It may seem early to ask for volunteers, but in order to ensure everyone knows their date in good time to plan, we need to be clear in October that we have enough participants. It all got a little bit 'last minute' in 2016, to the point we thought it might not happen, so we would be very grateful for early responses.

You can see what was done in previous years and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, as in previous years, to show photos of the windows on the website and Facebook page.

If you:

• live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until Christmas and
• are interested in participating or are prepared to act as a standby if we have problems recruiting enough people

please let Ann Netten or Jenny Overson know:

• your name and address
• your email address and
• any preference you have about dates

We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know by 7^th October.

Advent Windows 2016 Hailed A Great Success - posted 10 January 2017

The second year of Advent Windows appears to have been as popular and well-received as the first.

Organisers Ann Netten and Jenny Overson said "Thank you all so much for making the Advent Windows such a success this year. The windows were once again absolutely beautiful and amazingly creative."

The windows were all photographed by Charles Binns and put on the village web site by Danny Moody. Mike Barnes produced a wonderful map of the windows.

"Lots of people have told us how much they enjoyed walking round the village finding the windows and we have already got a new volunteer for next year." said the organisers.

Queen's Road in Banbury took up the idea after hearing about and seeing Helmdon's Advent Windows last year and had a good display this year, so Helmdon can take some credit for that too!

If anyone has any feedback that they would like to share with the organisers to improve the process please contact us.

Full Steam Ahead for the Advent Windows 2016 - posted 23 October 2016

Many thanks to those of you who volunteered for Advent Windows this year, with a very special thanks to the new recruits and those who rallied round when it looked as though we would not have enough participants. We now have 23 'volunteers' in all so will be going ahead, but it would be great if we could get one more so a new window is lit up every evening during Advent.

If you know someone who might be able to help us out please get in touch as soon as possible with one of us.

We will be getting in touch with participants individually during the next week to let you know your number, timings etc so you have plenty of notice to think through what you would like to do.

Once again, many thanks to those who volunteered. Don't worry if you didn't volunteer this year - we have included all 2015 participants in this email as well as 2016 volunteers, just in case they know someone who might be able to help out.

Eight Volunteers Still Needed And Very Little Time To Go - posted 10 October 2016

Many thanks to all those who have volunteered their windows to form part of the Helmdon Living Advent Calendar. Unfortunately it does not look like we will be able to make it this year as we do not have enough volunteers. Unless we get eight more households by 16 October there will not be enough time to give participants enough notice. It seems a shame as people were very enthusiastic last year, so we plan to see if we are more successful in recruiting for Advent 2017.

please get in touch with Ann Netten or Jenny Overson.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Ten Volunteers Still Needed For Christmas 2016 Advent Windows- posted 24 September 2016

Many thanks to all those who have volunteered their windows to form part of the Helmdon Living Advent Calendar. The aim is to have decorated and illuminated windows 'opened' from the beginning of December so, by Christmas Eve, 24 windows are regularly lit up every evening. Last year people were very enthusiastic and the windows were wonderful – we even made the Banbury Guardian. We has hoped for a similar response this year, but it has been a bit slow so far – we are getting a bit worried! We are delighted that the school will be starting us off with the first one on 1 December and that 24 will be the church porch on Christmas Eve. However, at the time of writing we still need ten volunteers – could you help?

As well as the windows from last year, a Google search on 'Advent windows' will show you ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows in other villages in the past. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope to have photos of the windows on the village website and Facebook page.

If you:

• live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until Christmas and
• are interested in participating

please get in touch with Ann Netten or Jenny Overson.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Advent Windows Christmas 2016 - It May Seem Early But Volunteers Please!- posted 27 July 2016

Christmas may seem a long way off but we are keen to repeat the success of last year when Helmdon was turned into a Living Advent Calendar with windows throughout the village decorated and 'opened' each evening from 1 December so, by Christmas Eve, over 24 windows were regularly lit up every evening. We are hoping to do the same again this year so are starting to look for volunteers.

You can see what was done last year here and if you Google 'Advent windows' you can find the wide range of ideas and ways that people have decorated their windows elsewhere. There is no need to be religious or arty and there is no 'theme', the aim is for each window to be a surprise as it is revealed. We would like to include windows through the whole village and hope, like last year, to show photos of the windows on the website and Facebook page.

If you:

• live in a house that has a window that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming on to your property
• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is 'opened' until Christmas and
• are interested in participating

please send Ann Netten or Jenny Overson

• your name and address
• your email address and
• any preference you have about dates

We look forward to hearing from you.

Helmdon Advent Windows Project Review Of Christmas 2015... And Thoughts On Christmas 2016 - posted 16 January 2016

First many thanks again to all those who participated in Helmdon's Advent Windows 2015.

In all the feedback we have received people felt the Advent Windows project had gone very well and were in favour of repeating it in 2016 – we even had some early volunteers! Villagers showed enormous creativity in their window displays, the photographs by Charles were brilliant and through Danny and Audrey the website provided great support and vital publicity throughout. The Banbury Guardian also did us proud.

One suggestion was that we should get the photographs made up into Christmas cards for sale later in the year, with any profits going to the Friends of Helmdon Church. Charles is happy for us to use the photographs in this way. If you decorated a window, please let us know by 1 February if you have any objections to the picture of your window being used in this way. If people are happy with the idea, we will look further into the practicalities.

Various suggestions have been made for next year:

• A map of the village with the locations of windows marked on it would be good if we could get one put together
• Some people put their number up in advance of the 'opening' of the window, adding to the anticipation and alerting passers-by. We could suggest everyone does this next year.
• Some people have learnt valuable lessons from putting together their windows (e.g. in terms of making lighting most effective). It would be good to find a means of sharing this – perhaps through the website or a note to be shared with volunteers.
• More effort was needed in getting email addresses for those who have one. It makes communication easier and quicker. If you know you would like to participate next time and have an email address please send it to Ann Netton or Jenny Overson
  
• In Sulgrave they have mulled wine and mince pies associated with 'opening' the windows. We could ask for volunteers next year but suggest that if we do go ahead we only do this on one or two occasions at a weekend – maybe the pub might volunteer!
• One piece of feedback was that there were not many windows in the Station Road area of the village (just the school and Hinton Close). Any thoughts about ways to encourage more volunteers from that part of the village would be appreciated.

We propose to continue the policy of accepting everyone who volunteers so having more than one window on some nights.
Any further thoughts or suggestions are very welcome.

Ann and Jenny