Kent Couple Illuminates Street with Christmas Lights in Son’s Memory

In Kent, a couple who lost their son has adorned their street with over 100,000 Christmas lights as a tribute to him. Ross and Michelle Clark’s son, Jack, passed away in 2002 at 21 weeks old, having been born prematurely. According to Mr. Clark, the custom originated with lighting a candle on what would have been Jack’s birthday. Over time, this practice evolved into an extensive winter wonderland display at their residence in Boughton-under-Blean, close to Canterbury. He stated, “It started as one light shining into the sky, as we called him our little angel in the sky.” Annually, the elaborate display, which this year includes over 100,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments, is switched on every 24 November. Mr. Clark informed BBC Radio Kent that preparations for the installation commence in September. Mr. Clark remarked, “The smiles and laughter on the little kids’ faces is unbelievable.” He added, “I go outside and see people all the time, but if I’m indoors, all I can hear is the little kids running up and down laughing and screaming. It’s all about putting a smile on their faces.” Located on Colonels Lane, the installation also incorporates a memory tree, providing visitors an opportunity to reflect on departed loved ones. Mr. Clark commented, “When you read the messages, you just want to cry.” Furthermore, the couple is collecting donations for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust, a charitable organization that supplies specialized equipment for infants born prematurely. They report that their use of low-wattage LED lights has prevented a significant rise in operational expenses over the years. Mr. Clark further stated, “All of the lights you see in our garden, if I put the kettle on, it’d be more than them lights put together.” He concluded, “My smart metre is still sitting in the green, even with all those lights on.”