IF you have been to the Golden Square this week and noticed something different about the former Shipton’s jewellery store – across from Starbucks – that is because it has been dressed up to get in the festive spirit ahead of Christmas.

To reflect Christmas day every day, At No.25 will be open across December bar Christmas Day, Boxing Day and bank holidays 10am until 4pm.

Whether it be a huge Christmas tree with presents underneath, the old jewellery cabinets which have also been filled with tiny models of homes, a stockings or a knitted Christmas dinner (yes you read that right), there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Artist Daisy James along with Enya Koster and storyteller Felicity Goodman, helped put this together after Daisy – a former Culcheth High School pupil – was asked by Leah Biddle, cultural manager at Culture Warrington to create some Christmas magic.

Daisy said: “Me and Enya (sugar plum fairy) thought about what we wanted to do and Enya came up with the idea of creating something around the magic of Christmas morning in the house.

“We had the idea of doing a Christmas tree with presents for when you come down and Santa’s been.

“As you move through the space you move through the day and you come to Christmas dinner, it is the most important part to me and I really love it.

“We were trying to work out how we could make it and we came up with the idea that it could be knitted.”

With the help of Facebook and a post on the Warrington Arts and Crafts group, Daisy found Jacqueline Bailey who did all the crocheting and Pat Adams who took control of the knitting.

 

Daisy James and Enya Koster sat in their creation

Daisy James and Enya Koster sat in their creation

Pat Adams (left) and Jacqueline Bailey who helped put the Christmas dinner together with a twist

Pat Adams (left) and Jacqueline Bailey who helped put the Christmas dinner together with a twist

 

The 26-year-old added: “These two responded and that same night they started knitting for me.

“We want it to feel like Grandma’s house on the inside and on the outside, you feel like you’re on the approach to the house.

“We wanted it to be interactive for kids so Enya became an ornament that came to life.

“I’m delighted. I could cry every time I look out of the window and people’s faces just light up.

“I was tipping the snow into the windows and I looked up and a little boy’s mouth had dropped wide open and in another window, this older lady had a big smile and I just thought ‘we really are doing it for everyone’.

“Christmas costs so much money so to make something that is so special and welcomes everyone in makes you feel great.”

 

Mia Dunning, three, was the first youngster to visit At No.25

Mia Dunning, three, was the first youngster to visit At No.25

 

Jacqueline, from Bruche, said: “It’s fabulous isn’t it?

“Just being in here it brings so many memories back of a lovely, lovely childhood.

“I automatically thought of Pat because she had done loads of food knitting so she attempted to do the dinner and I did the turkey and Christmas pudding – and the first turkey ended up like a chicken so I changed to thicker wool and a bigger needle.”

Pat, based in Great Sankey added: “I’m very proud to be involved and it’s nice that Jackie put my name forward because I love doing knitted food.

“It’s nice to be able to be involved in something in the community.

“We can’t wait to bring a lot of people to look at it and say ‘this is what we’ve done’ and look what Daisy’s achieved.”

Entry is free. There will be live performances from the sugar plum fairy on Saturday’s between 10am to 11.30am and 12.30pm and 2pm.

 

The old jewellery cabinets have also been filled with tiny models of homes

The old jewellery cabinets have also been filled with tiny models of homes