Shepherd family Christmas lights celebrate 25 years and raise over £11,000 for charity
The family decided there wouldn't be a display next year, but hope to come back stronger in 2026
For 25 years, the Shepherd family of Marlow Bottom has lit up their home with an extraordinary display of Christmas lights.
The event has attracted hundreds of visitors over the years, having become a community tradition.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio about how the tradition was born, Tony Shepherd said: “In 1999, we decided that the Millennium was coming up, and it would be a great way to celebrate by outlining the house in white lights, which we did.
"It was quite successful. We quite enjoyed that. So every year after that, it has evolved a little bit more and a little bit more.”
A major milestone came a few years later when the Shepherds discovered technology that could synchronise lights with music, and boosted the display to what hs now become the locally famous Christmas attraction.
“We found a little box that you could plug in, which played music and some of the lights danced to the music,” said Tony.
By 2012, they had invested in software and controllers, allowing for a fully programmed light show. “At that time, I think it was two controllers which gave us 32 channels to play with,” he noted. “Today, we have about 320 channels that I can control.”
Each year, Tony spends 20 to 30 hours programming each of the 16 songs in their playlist. “It’s got to be music you like. It’s got to be Christmassy,” he said. “After you’ve sat programming it for 20 to 30 hours, it’s a question of whether you still like it so much. But generally, we do.”
The lights also serve as a significant fundraiser.
From the early stages, the family decided to pick a different cause each year which would benefit from public donations.
“We started raising money for charity fairly quickly after we started,” said Tony’s wife, Jan. Contributions have grown steadily, with the family’s record year in 2019 raising just under £12,000.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic changed donation habits, the Shepherds adapted by installing a contactless tap-and-donate machine.
This year’s display raised around £11,200 for Dementia Action Marlow, a small local charity that supports dementia sufferers and their carers. “They do a brilliant job. They’re all volunteers,” Tony said. “We know that the money will be extremely well spent.”
Volunteers from the charity were on hand most evenings in December, encouraging donors to sign Gift Aid forms to maximise contributions.
Reflecting on the tradition’s impact, Tony said, “We have a lot of people who come year after year, and it means a lot to them. It’s their family tradition to come along to Marlow Bottom and see the Shepherd family Christmas lights.”
However, 2024 marks a turning point for the family. “We have taken the decision that there will be no lights next year. We’re going to take a year off and just take a bit of stock,” Tony revealed.
Whether the display returns in 2025 remains uncertain. “Having spoken to so many people out on the drive this year, we do realise what it means to people, so there might be a little bit of pressure there. But we will see how that one goes.”
Over the years, the Shepherds have supported a variety of charities, including Brainstrust, Mummy’s Star, the Charlie Waller Trust, and Alexander Devine Hospice.
The family maintains a JustGiving page for ongoing donations and shares videos of their displays on Facebook under “Shepherd Family Christmas Lights.”