Aylesbury residents encouraged to keep Christmas lights up
The idea is to brighten up the streets during the dark nights of lockdown
Residents across Aylesbury are being asked to keep some Christmas lights up.
Some resident of Aylesbury are keeping lights up beyond their usual time to try and spread some joy, and are asking for others to join.
A lot of people will have taken their decorations down already, with many seeing yesterday, the 12th day of Christmas, as a traditional time to put them away.
However, Lesley from Aylesbury is calling on others to join her in keeping some up:
"Of course people can put away reindeers and snowmen, but maybe keep a small display up.
"January is a gloomy month at the moment, so we thought it could bring a bit of cheerfulness as people are driving around.
"Or a little bit of light if you're jogging around.
"And of course children love lights, so it's great for them."
There have been a range of ideas about why people should keep lights up, some people saying it can symbolise support for the NHS.
English Heritage want people to take a leaf out of history’s book and leave their decorations up until Candlemas on February 2, just like our medieval ancestors.
The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise known as Candlemas, marked the official end of Christmas in medieval England.
Every year on February 2, people enjoyed big feasts and blessed candles to be used in the church.
The traditions of Candlemas have not been completely forgotten, with some churches today displaying Christmas cribs until February 2.
But now historians hope it might make a bigger resurgence.
Despite popular belief that Christmas ends on January 6, historian Michael Carter argues it continues until Candlemas, meaning "there's no real reason why you should take your decorations down earlier."
Lesley is just hoping that it gives someone a little bit of joy as the nights continue to be dark and cold.