This December shoppers in Cowes are being treated to a real feast for the eyes, the length of its long and mostly pedestrianised high street is festooned with a multitude of wonderfully creative festive displays in the windows of its many shops, restaurants and bars. But there is one display in particular that is really turning heads.
Suspended above Medina Bookshop is an 8ft Christmas tree made entirely of car hubcaps, their silver geometric patterns catching the light and sparkling like oversized snowflakes.
Armfield: It really does put a smile on people’s faces
The upcycled display was devised by bookshop manager, Paul Armfield, who said,
“I wanted to create something impactful and inexpensive, I was originally thinking of spraying solid hubcaps as giant baubles, but then it occurred to me just how much like snowflakes modern hubcaps look like.
“A quick trip up the road to Cliftongrade scrapyard where I purchased 28 used hubcaps for £1 each, along with a a bit of strong rope and plenty of cable-ties and I was ready to give it a go. But just before constructing it, I had second thoughts, thinking this was probably the worst idea I’ve ever had, but having no plan B I had no choice but to forge ahead.
“Once I’d begun to raise it up a little to attach the lights I could see that it was going to look very effective. I’m delighted to say that the response has been wonderful, it really does put a smile on people’s faces.”
But with storm Darragh picking up momentum Paul was beginning to fear for the worst.
“I was so relieved to arrive at the shop on Saturday morning to find it windblown, but intact'”
Cultural hub(cap) of Cowes
The bookshop has held more than 70 literary and musical events in 2023 and on the 23rd December at 6pm, they host the last one of the year, a Carol Concert with the Medina Community Choir beneath the Christmas Tree outside Rosalie’s at the bottom of Market Hill.
With mince-pies and mulled wine in the bookshop afterwards it’s a perfect opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit and take a look at the hubcap display for yourself.
They certainly are the cultural hub(cap) of Cowes.
See the lights in all their nighttime glory below. Click on the image to play the short video.
