Buckden Christmas Lights Competition - 2008

It's back! It's bigger! It's brighter than ever! It's what you've all been waiting for. The Buckden Christmas Lights Strategy Committee are delighted to announce the 2008 Buckden Christmas Lights Competition.

Following comments from certain villagers who didn't win last year, that they did not have long enough to prepare for the Competition, Ted and the team have decided to launch the competition early this year. The format is similar to last year. Residents wishing to enter the competition should complete the entry form and return it to the Chief Adjudicator by 23rd December. In response to those villagers who complained last year that they didn't win, the committee have asked us to point out that "You have to be in it, to win it", as Wittgenstein said (at least I think it was him). So, don't forget to get your entry in early.

Judging will take place between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Entry forms accompanied by a festive contribution (preferably alcoholic) are particularly welcome and will certainly receive favourable consideration during the adjudication process.

The rules (see below) are similar to last year although the committee have decided on a couple of alterations as follows:

• Points will be deducted for large inflatable decorations - this follows an unfortunate incident of mistaken identity involving a villager, a large illuminated Santa snow globe and an improbable quantity of alcohol.
• Points will also be deducted for suggesting that the Committee can be "bought" for the price of a round of Black Sheep (even though there may be some substance to this allegation)
• Some confusion was caused last year by Rule 10, which is intended to de-bar altitude-based rivalry between different areas of the village. It was not intended to encourage entries from either Dudley or Weston super Mare. Rule 11 has been introduced to clarify this point.

To see reports and pictures of previous years competitions and winners click on the links below:

2006 Christmas Lights Competition

2007 Christmas Lights Competition

Once again the proceeds of the competition will go to the Buckden Life Belt Appeal. Click here for details

Buckden Christmas Lights Competition 2008 - Rules

1. For Entry Categories - see entry form
2. Only one category may be entered per household
3. Definitions:
   • "Flashing Lights" - are those in which the display is interrupted for a period greater than 0.5 seconds in any one minute period -
   • "Non Flashing Lights" - are those which do not flash
   •  Any other lights are probably broken
4. Where a display comprises both flashing and non-flashing light sets, it is almost certainly excessively ostentatious - however for the purposes of the competition it will be deemed to be a "Flashing" display.
5. Additional marks will be awarded for:
   • Understated elegance
   • "Green" displays (low electricity consumption)
   • Accompanying the entry form with a suitable festive donation
   • Being the Adjudicator
6. Marks will be deducted for:
   • large inflatable decorations
   • casting aspersions on the integrity of the Chief Adjudicator and his team
7. No competitor is permitted to have a better display than the Chief Adjudicator
8. The Adjudicator's decision is final
9. The Adjudicator has the right to change the rules as and when he sees fit
10. There is no regional dimension to this year's competition. Competitors who attempt to introduce a regional dimension will be summarily disqualified.
11. Entries are limited to properties within the boundaries of Buckden Parish

Download Entry form to print out

Download entry form for email entries