A DECORATOR from Etherley has teamed up with a signwriter to create a massive tribute to NHS staff and care workers.
Gary Shaw and his wife, Sylvia, who are widely known in the village for their Christmas illuminations, initially wanted to do something special for health care workers by using lights, but realised it wouldn’t be seen for much of the time as the days grow longer.
So instead, they turned to signwriter Peter Pentland who created a huge billboard to stretch across almost the entire length of the Shaws’ back garden fence, which overlooks the main road through the village. Mrs Shaw said: “Peter has always done work for us when Gary gets a new van so we have known him for years. He supplied the sign free of charge.”
Mr Shaw added: “My friend Andrew Banks helped me and Sylvia to put it up.
“I’ve put 3,000 Christmas lights in white along the top and tonight I am putting some blue bars in lights down either side.
“It’s gone down a storm. I did it to put a good vibe in the air.”
Images of the sign have been widely posted on social media including a Toft Hill and Etherley group on Facebook.
