It’s curtains for Haslemere’s annual Christmas window competition – and this year’s displays were snow joke!

The fiercely contested competition saw hairdressers Hair Chair in Lower Street steal the show, winning the popular vote for Haslemere’s Best-Dressed Christmas Window 2024. Last year’s winner, Oliver’s coffee shop in Charter Walk, put up a good fight but had to settle for the runner-up spot in the annual Christmas window battle.

The judging panel awarded three special categories. Dylan’s Ice Cream scooped up the “Most Complementary to Business” prize with a huge ice sculpture outside its shop. Haslemere railway station steamed into second place with its impressive model train display in the booking hall.

The title of “Most Stylish Window” went to The Sewing Room at its new home in West Street, with estate agents Seymour’s taking the runner-up spot. Meanwhile, RT Mechanics on St. Christopher’s Green revved up the festive spirit to win “Most Festive Window,” with The Bakehouse in West Street as runner-up.

Competition organiser Rev. Justin Manley-Cooper praised the huge number of retailers who took part this year, as well as the efforts of 15 local schools, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, Rainbows, and the church youth group, who together decorated 19 shop windows across the town centre and Weyhill.

Four of the five windows awarded special commendations were decorated by local schools: Collingwood Batchellor (St. Bartholomew’s School), Henry Adams (Camelsdale School), Lion’s Den (Shottermill Junior School), and Little Locks (Shottermill Infants). R Miles & Sons also earned a commendation for their festive display.

Sponsored by St. Bartholomew’s, St. Christopher’s, All Saints Grayswood, and St. Stephen’s Shottermill, the competition rewarded winners with hampers full of locally-sourced treats.

The window of opportunity may have closed for this year, but residents and visitors can look forward to another festive showdown across the High Street next Christmas.