Belsize Village Winter Lights

Every year Heywoods organises and provides
the lights to brighten up the Village

Belsize Village in wintertime

At this time of year, more than ever, we need to add light and cheer to our Village. On behalf of the Belsize Village Association Angela King of Heywoods collects the donations and organises the winter lights & flowers as well as the installation every year.

These lights do not appear by seasonal magic – nor are they funded in any way by Camden Council. Angela King organises and honours payment for the lights (and flowers) to secure the order. Then the funds are raised from our local business traders, local residents and neighbours.

There are major sponsors and each one very generously supplies the fund with extra large donations. A huge vote of thanks go to them for continuing their support for this comminity project – without which Angela would struggle to get this project off the ground every year.

It's surprising that many folk are unaware that the lights (and flowers) are organised and paid for privately and without contributions from the community they simply would not happen.

A huge vote of sincere thanks goes out to all of the generous traders and local residents who year-on-year give their support to this Belsize Village community project, without whose help Angela would struggle to get this off the ground every season.

Angela King's powers of persuasion are key to making the winter lights happen. Angela is a director of Heywoods Estate Agents, she lives in Belsize Park Gardens, and has been selling property in the area since 1992.

To ensure their continuity PLEASE DONATE TOWARDS THE WINTER LIGHTS

PayPal donation link:

With many thanks to the organisers

History of the Lights

Angela King and Robert Follis arranged for new lights in 2008 on the three large trees in Belsize Terrace and on the main tree opposite the Late Store to be lit using an existing set. The lighting was a great success and a benefit for all residents, traders and visitors to the village, brightening up the gloom of the winter.

Then in 2009 Angela and Robert repeated and extended the lighting to look even better. The main tree had a full set of top lights and with the help of the Camden Area Forums, the two heritage lamposts were added.

In 2010 they improved the lighting on the two heritage lamps, and in 2011 a fifth tree was included, the silver birch at the corner.

In 2012 they added high-efficiency uplighters in the Village trees and uplighters in the two tall trees opposite XO and Heywoods. Lights have also been on the two heritage lamps in Belsize Terrace.

In 2013, the uplighters were removed and LED Flying Balls and LED pea lights added to the two tall trees opposite XO & Heywoods.

In 2014 the lights were further extended down Belsize Lane.

Heywoods pays in full for the lights and needs to raise at least £8,000 per annum from local traders and residents. We own the lights, but cannot install them permanently due to tree growth issues and liability problems. The cost of installation by professional contractor BPA, includes £10 million of public liability insurance.

Most village traders contribute to these costs, as do some of the offices and many, many local individuals. 100% of the contributions are committed to the Village and any cash left over from the lights are used to fund the Village Flowers. Anything you as Belsize residents are able to donate is much appreciated!

Our thanks to Brendan Pollard of BPA Lighting for all his help.