Hullbridge 'big kid' spreading Christmas cheer with lights

Gary Bates, 36, is known by all his neighbours and friends as a Christmas fanatic and has spent the last couple of weeks prepare to launch his festive decorations. 

On Monday, despite heavy rain, more than 60 neighbours gathered outside his home to watch the big switch-on in Buttermere Gardens, Hullbridge. 

Gary, alongside his partner Jodie Bates, has been decorating his home for several years and selecting a different charity or community group to support each time. 

Incredible - Christmas home in Hullbridge (Image: Danielle Waite)

This year, he is raising cash for the Mushroom Theatre Company in Rayleigh, an inclusive performing arts company.  

Described affectionately by his sister Danielle Waite as “just a big kid who loves Christmas”, Gary started small, decorating his home for the holidays.

However, each year it continued to grow as more decorations were added. 

Amazing - Gary Bates alongside his partner Jodie Bates (Image: Danielle Waite)

Danielle said: “It all started because Gary is such a big kid, and he just loves doing Christmas decorations.

“People started stopping outside the house to look, and one year, my sister-in-law said, ‘Why don’t we do it for charity?’ It has then grown from there.

“The charity is changed every year, and this year, it is for the Mushroom Theatre. 

Wow - The amazing Christmas home at night (Image: Danielle Waite)

“My brother, who owns GB Roofing, then matches whatever is raised, doubling the total.

“He has always been a big kid. We had the most amazing Christmases growing up. He would always bug my parents to get the lights up earlier, and now that he is grown up, he says, ‘I can put them up whenever I want’. 

“It wasn’t ever meant to be a big thing, he only started doing it for himself.”

Christmas - Some of the amazing decorations (Image: Danielle Waite)The Mushroom Theatre provides dance, drama, singing, musical theatre, workshops and other activities but aims to promote and encourage each student to achieve their full potential and build self-esteem.

Danielle added: “He is my little brother, and he puts so much work into it.

“It takes weeks and weeks to build and put everything up. You can see how passionate he is about it. It is like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He lights up the whole street.”