The families of Ham and Petersham are looking forward to a dash of Christmas cheer on their doorsteps. Petersham will see the night-by-night opening of a free 'advent calendar' walking trail from December 1 to 24 this year.

Each night a new decorated window will be 'opened' and lit up for residents to walk past and view, gradually building up to a 24-window advent calendar trail by Christmas Eve. Clues will be given to help participants find their way around the trail.

It aims to be a family activity to encourage children to get out for their daily exercise and experience a little bit of the excitement of Christmas as they do so.

A small team led by local resident Dr Emily Powell-Blyth are planning this walking trail specifically with little legs in mind, making sure that the entire route will not be too much for children to manage as they walk between decorated windows.

The trail finishes on Christmas Eve with an illuminated crib set up in the porch of St Peter's Church.

Families taking part should observe social distancing guidelines as they follow the trail, keeping at least 2 metres between themselves and other groups. Windows on the trail will be lit between 5pm and 10pm each night.

Where to find the clues?

Anyone interested in joining the trail will need to download the What3words app to navigate their way around the route.

Clues will be given, via the app, about the location of the next window on the trail.

Participants can choose to find the new window each night or wait until Christmas Eve to follow the trail in full.

Details on how to take part will be advertised on posters throughout Petersham village.

Dr Powell-Blyth said: "This idea began as an antidote to the grimness of 2020 and lockdown.

"I want local children to be able to have some of the fun of a community Christmas even while we are having to distance from each other.

"For them Christmas should have some magic and excitement, especially this year."

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