Drone photos show the extravagantly decorated house dubbed ‘Romford Wonderland’ in Pettits Lane fully lit up from a bird’s-eye view.
This year’s display includes many of the lights used in previous years as well as some new on-the-ground props such as polar bears wearing scarves, penguins and Father Christmas riding a motorbike.
The photos were taken by Hornchurch-based photographer Peter Barrett on Wednesday evening (December 10).
Speaking to the Recorder in November, home owner Ian Grange said there are “loads of photo opportunities” this year, including person-sized photo frame props.
For the first time in 11 years of decorating his home, Ian intended to hold an official opening event last Saturday (December 6) with live music and potentially hot food for sale.
However, at the end of November he received a letter from Havering Council asking him to contact it urgently to discuss the logistics of the event.
Arrangements were deemed necessary regarding licences, parking, and emergency vehicle access.
Ian deemed it easier to cancel the event entirely, which left him upset..
“I am disappointed in all honesty,” he told the Recorder.
“I’m not stupid – I understand why they’re doing it, but I am upset about it.
“It was just something I was doing for the good and I didn’t realise how much it could have been bad for somebody else.
“It is what it is really, that’s life unfortunately.”
Despite having to cancel the opening event, Ian confirmed the light set-up is finished and will be turned on from around 4pm until 11.30pm each day over the festive period.
He is eager for people to still come along and enjoy the attraction when they can.
The family will still be taking donations for Lime Academy Ravensbourne as they did last year.
This is a special educational school in Neave Crescent, which Ian’s daughter Kayleigh attends.
In 2022, the display collected money for Mitchell’s Miracles, a Romford-based Neuroblastoma charity.
