Byron Road 2021

Early this afternoon, our neighbour, Gordon, visited. We enjoyed a convivial conversation in which he expressed pleasure to hear that the article he had given me from a 1928 edition of The Mansfield and Sutton Times had appeared in my post ‘Patent Love’.

Later, I scanned the next four of Charles Keeping’s inimitable illustrations to ‘Dombey and Son’.

‘She lay like a horrible doll that had tumbled down’

‘Miss Tox took him on her lap’

‘Pinning him by the legs, the children claimed him as their friend’

‘Their heads all but touching, in their hurry and decrepitude’

The organisers of Byron Road Christmas decorations in Barton on Sea have this year dedicated their annual fundraising display to

the NHS.

We made our visit after dark this afternoon.

This evening we dined on well cooked pork chops with apple sauce; baby new boiled potatoes; crunchy carrots; and firm broccoli and cauliflower, with meaty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Macon.

76 comments

    1. It is quite controversial. This year there were one or two gaps in the main terrace, but more participants across the road. The main issue seems to be visitors parking along the road. Thanks very much, Sheree

  1. Wonderfully evocative illustrations, as usual, and very festive Christmas light display. Great job of capturing the variety. It would be fun to walk down the street to see them, but I agree that I wouldn’t want to live there.

  2. Once again Mr. Keeping’s faces and fashions capture me in! 🙂
    Beautiful Christmas decorations and lights! I love the lights! One of our fave Christmas outings is to walk the neighborhood to see the decorations and lights…or take a drive and do the same. 🙂
    Love the photos of the little kiddos enjoying the lights and decorations. 🙂
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…”Christmas lights instantly make me feel eight years old again!” 🙂

  3. Very good photographs of the festive lights and effects but these things bring out the curmudgeon in me. If ever there was an example of conspicuous consumption, outdoor Christmas lights are it.

    1. I see your point, Tootlepedal – we have, incidentally, far more in the neighbourhood this year – it seems to me that, with the rise of Omicron, people are trying to make something out of a dodgy time. Thanks a lot.

  4. Such strange drawings as usual. I find the one with the women facing each other most interesting, especially the hair. The Christmas decorations make me tingle with joy. 🙂

    1. Thanks a lot, JoAnna. These two mothers and daughters, of such differing circumstances met in the street. I have a feeling this is going to be significant before long. You and many others re the decorations.

  5. Christmas has descended in all its colours upon your neighbourhood. You have captured the dazzling decorations in a masterly manner that displays your excellent control over exposure.

  6. Wow, Derrick, those illustrations are mesmerizing! They border of gruesome and yet they make me wonder. Thanks for sharing those. As well as the Christmas lights and decorations! What fun to walk there after dark. We have a similar area about a hour’s drive from us, where hundreds of visitors go to enjoy the lights. It’s so festive! Happy Holidays!

  7. Gosh – the Christmas decorations are something else! I’m glad to see children out enjoying them. And good to see money from them being donated to the NHS.

  8. I’m so glad I am taking time tonight to catch up on my blog reading. I would not have wanted to miss this one! The scanned pages are wonderful. I especially liked the one of her toppled upsidedown. Delightful! And the Christmas decorations are stunning! Thanks for sharing, Derrick. Have a lovely Sunday!

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