Express delivery of a new home for G-Wizz

The Lytham St Annes G-Wizz Festive Display was in danger of hitting the buffers after 19 years when an apparent clash of dates meant it could no longer be accommodated at St Margaret’s Church, St Annes, its home for the past five years.

But the ink was barely dry on the appeal for a new home in last week’s Express when G-Wizz secretary Allan Judd’s phone started to ring – and the exhibition will be staged at the White Church at Fairhaven on December 10.

The venue was one of four offered to the team as our readers really rallied round to help – and Allan was quick to express his delight at the reaction to his organisation’s plight.

“We really can’t thank The Express and its readers enough,” said Allan.

“We have always received great coverage of our events from The Express and such wonderful support from the Fylde public – and we are so grateful for the offers of help which mean the show can go on in its 20th year.

“We received a number of offers, with which we were delighted, but the White Church was chosen as the most suitable.

“It’s a great space – and what an iconic building in which to hold the event.

“We are so much looking forward to it.”

The festive display, which attracts exhibitors from all over the north, moved to St Margaret’s Church Hall in St Annes in 2012 from its previous long-time home at St Annes United Reformed Church because of access problems during the demolition of the old St Annes Conservative Club and building of the Aldi store.

The G-Wizz team has supported many different charities at the event over the years, with the latest display raising £450 to fund items of new training equipment for the Lytham St Annes Unit of the St John Ambulance.

White Church minister Rev David Phillips said: “We will be delighted to welcome the G-Wizz team.

“I have always had a soft spot for steam trains and I will be very proud to see us hosting this excellent event.

“It will bring back a lot of very pleasant memories for me.”