History

The Garden Spectacular Christmas Light Display is held on the James Lynne Estate in Havannah Street, Bathurst.  It all began in 1990 with the oldest great grand-daughter of the late James Lynne deciding to hang one string of Christmas fairy lights up on the lower branches of a large privet tree.  

The lights were so delightful, the following year more lights were purchased to hang in the apply tree opposite the privet tree. The lights graduated to the plum tree, then the other apple tree near the gate. 

 

 

In 1993 one of the large department stores in Bathurst had a sale of their Christmas garlands and wreathes as they were changing their colour scheme.  One of our friends tied the rope around his waist and onto the front mudguard of the car.  When he finished getting up as high as he could go, the car was put in reverse and the wreath was pulled up into its final destination. For the lower decorations, a grandson and his friend climbed the trees to hang the wreaths and throw lights out onto branches.  

We were so happy with this as it was increasing the beauty of the garden for Christmas, the following year we hired a cherry picker to hang them up high in the pine trees.  

People were stopping to look at the lights and hanging over the fence to have a look at the lights.  It was the only one of its kind in Bathurst. Then one evening one of the sightseers edged their way in through the gate to have a look and was advised it was a private garden and could not come in.  They apologized and said that he had brought the grandchildren down especially to see the lights as they had traveled from ACT.  As we didn’t wish to disappoint them, we showed them around the garden.  They loved the garden and said it was beautiful, however no toilets were available…….  

We started all thinking that maybe we could put something around the garden, good enough for the people to come in and look at.  We needed to cater for the guests also, however, there was a toilet which had not been used for over 20 years already available, but needed some attention, this would be necessary.  

Meetings were held to see what ideas we could come up with.  St Vincent's De Paul attended and assisted with climbing the trees to put the decorations up. A young carpenter offered his time to put some displays together.  Not knowing how everything would proceed as this was the first time to put something like this together, people put in time freely.  

The Mayor of the day opened the first public viewing in 1994 and was so impressed with the work achieved.  A coloring competition for the students was also held and the Mayor handed out prizes to the winners.  

The following year the same Mayor held meetings with other community works and had electrical work installed free of charge by Uncle Bens of Australia, carried out by John Martin. This made things much easier to decorate with lights.  

The following year Bethlehem was built by Graham Burgess.  This has been a high light for different features each year.  

Pavers were laid by David Naylor to assist walking around the garden, to assist people when walking around looking at the displays, instead of walking in mud as previously happened when it rained.  

A structure was then put in place by taxi driver Cess Williams for the 12 Days of Christmas.  He then went to put a small structure up for other interchangeable scenes each Christmas.  

The men from Kirconnell prison farm made a Santa Sleigh and Reindeers for the children to sit on with Santa.  Many schools came that year and had their photos taken by the local media.  Films have been shown in this area for the children to look at since then.    

 

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