Is this the only road in the country where they're actually MAKING snow? The street that won a winter wonderland makeover

Monday, December 20, 2010

Is this the only road in the country where they're actually MAKING snow? The street that won a winter wonderland makeover

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Winners: Seabank Road in the Wirral was granted the Perfect Christmas by Sainsbury's

Could this be the only place in Britain that needs to have snow shipped in to make it a perfect Christmas?

After a weekend of heavy blizzards snow now covers most of the UK - but Merseyside has dodged much of the bad weather.

So when one lucky street in the Wirral won a Winter Wonderland experience from Sainsbury's the supermarket giant had to ship in fake snow to create the festive scene - and for once residents were pleased the council had not sent the gritters in.

Elves at work: The supermarket chain's staff showered the street with snow on Saturday

But even in Seabank Road, which was selected out of more than 45,000 applicants, the weather almost stopped the supermarket chain’s elves from decorating.

‘Despite the efforts of the British weather, we've delivered the perfect Christmas to one lucky street in the country,’ Sainsbury's Director of Brand Communications, Claire Harrison-Church, said.

‘Congratulations to a very deserving family at Seabank Road and their neighbours.’

Seabank Road were also gifted other treats from Sainsbury’s.

All the houses on the road were decorated, a 25ft Christmas tree was erected, there was a screening of the Snowman, and carols were sung by a choir.

Merry: Sainsbury's also provided food and drink for the partying over the weekend

Explosive: The evening's entertainment, which included a choir singing carols (right) was ended by an impressive firework display

Also, there were animals – donkeys and reindeer – and, of course, a plentiful spread of tasty Christmas food and drink from Sainsbury's.

The residents partied in the snow on Saturday until late into the night, before the festive event was brought to a close with a spectacular firework display.

A whole team of Sainsbury's elves had started work on the transformation early on Friday, and residents Carol and Rick Austin said: ‘This really has made our Christmas.

‘We have had a trying year as a family but the love and kindness we've received from our neighbours in Seabank Road and the wider community has been a great help.

‘Words can't express how grateful we are to all of them, so this perfect Christmas is a wonderful way for us to say thank you to them, we hope they've enjoyed it as much as we have.’

Festive: The residents all had their houses and gardens decorated by Sainsbury's, after being picked out of 45,000 applicants

Dressed up: Children got into the swing of things and were given Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer noses and antlers to celebrate

Their daughter, Sophie, said: ‘My sister Mia has spent the last 13 months in hospital after suffering a stroke at the age of 21 that left her unable to speak or move.

‘We desperately wanted to win so that she could come back to a wonderful surprise and help us in thanking all our friends and neighbours for their help and support.

‘Our special thanks also go to the wonderful nurses at The Wirral Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Clatterbridge, Mia’s old work colleagues and her boyfriend Rich.
‘We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, now that Mia’s home we know we will.’

Sainsbury's Perfect Christmas competition was launched via a national advertising campaign in November and received over 45,000 entries from streets, roads, lanes and mews across the UK.

Mrs Harrison-Church added: ‘We'd also like to extend our thanks to all entrants for getting involved in the competition in their thousands and take this chance to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.’