Grieving carer decorates home with 90,000 lights in tribute to late Christmas-loving partner

A grieving carer has decorated his home with thousands of sparkling festive lights in an adoring tribute to his Christmas-loving partner. 

Paul Bibby, 59, from Chelmsford, Essex, has adorned his home with an astonishing festive display for nearly two decades. 

The 59=year-old has strung up over 30,000 lights with 70,000 colourful bulbs, as well as several inflatable festive figures including a snowman and Santa Claus. 

Last October, the avid decorator sadly lost his partner Lynda Cummings, 61, who was a huge fan of his displays as well as the feel-good festivities. 

And this year Paul’s biggest light-show to date, has been dedicated to Lynda, who passed away unexpectedly due to heart problems.

But the full-time carer to his 36-year-old son Aaron, is considering making this year his last and best yet – despite the electricity bill of over £300. 

People across the UK and as far as South Africa have ventured to the Essex home over the last 18 years to catch a glimpse of the extravagant display. 

Paul Bibby, 59, (Pictured) has decorated his Essex home with thousands of lights in honour of his late partner 

His partner Lynda Cummings (Pictured with Paul left) passed away last October. He has since dedicated his astonishing display to her

The 59=year-old has strung up over 30,000 lights with 70,000 colourful bulbs, as well as several inflatable festive figures including a snowman and Santa Claus

Famed for his incredible festive decorations, visitors have travelled as far as South Africa to catch a glimpse of his home in the past

In a touching ode to his late partner Lynda, he has created a sign which reads: ‘My light are dedicated to Lynda.’

‘I had put half of the lights up when Lynda passed away, and I didn’t know whether to continue or take them down,’ Paul said. 

‘I thought – you’ve started this, so you’ve got to finish it.

‘Lynda was a big fan of the lights – and before she got ill she’d fill our house with decorations.’ 

He explained that Lynda would have liked for them to ‘do it properly’, adding: ‘So for Linda, my light this year are the best ever.’ 

He said: ‘Every year, I tell myself I can’t do any better, but every year I manage to improve again! I’ve got some new raindrop ones that look great.’

‘I’ve got more lights plugged in than ever – more bloody plugs that I have to switch on every day!’

Paul began the tradition in December 2005 with a single string of lights and has grown his display to be bigger and better every year.

The full-time carer has been adorning his home with thousands of lights for the last 18 years – however this Christmas may be his last

In honour of his late partner Lynda, he plans to make this display his biggest and best yet – despite the £300 electricity bill 

The avid-decorator was half way through putting the lights up when his partner unexpectedly passed away 

‘I thought – you’ve started this, so you’ve got to finish it,’ he explained: ‘Lynda was a big fan of the lights – and before she got ill she’d fill our house with decorations.

An adult and baby admire the magnificent lights draped all over Paul’s home in Chelmsford, Essex

Mr Bibby has previously decorated his home with England flags (left) for the Euros final against in 2024 and for the King’s coronation this year he put up a hundred union jacks (right) 

With the help of his 37-year-old son Aaron, takes around 45 minutes to blow up all the inflatable props every morning and to deflate them every night.   

His festive commitment has attracted visitors from far and wide, who travel just to take a look at his iconic displays. 

Last year he smashed his fundraising record of £!,500, raking in £2,500 for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, who he is collecting money for once again.  

Mr Bibby previously decorated his house with more than a hundred union jacks to celebrate the King’s coronation, and as a mark of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. 

‘There’s a little bit of me thinking I might make this year my last – I feel very lost without Lynda at the minute,’ Paul added: ‘This is for her.’

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