A really magical Christmas Tree Festival

A really magical Christmas Tree Festival

The Flower Club trees
The Flower Club trees at the altar

December is a time for lights and laughter and our village church was full of both during the Christmas Tree Festival at the beginning of December. Thirty-three organisations took part and decorated their trees with fantastic skill and imagination, the majority of which gave an insight into their varied activities: walking, sewing, drama, flower arranging, farming, exercising, bowling, church and school, to mention just a few and adding up to a magical display.

A pasta star on the Dartmounth Arms tree
A pasta star on the Dartmounth Arms tree

Thank you to all those who gave their time and talents to decorate the trees for our enjoyment. Visitors were asked to vote for their favourite and St Chad’s First School, with all their individual children in woolly hats, was the clear leader. The two beautiful trees on either side of the altar from Pattingham Flower Club were next, followed closely by the
ingenious pasta stars and lit bottles from the Dartmouth Arms.

On the Friday evening the church choir, led by newly-appointed organist Greg Lewin, gave a wonderful concert of Christmas music interspersed with seasonal readings arranged by Henry Ibberson. The lights from the Christmas trees, along with a serving of mulled wine and mince pies, helped to create a very special occasion. On the Saturday, the Village Hall saw great entertainment from The Casablanca Steps and the festival closed on Sunday evening with the excellent Church Youth Group’s monthly service.

The raffle first prize Christmas cake was won by Maureen from Perton. Other winners: garden voucher Janine from Newport; pantomime ticket voucher Tracy from Pendeford; knitted nativity set went to Ann of Pattingham.

Martin Thomas Butchers tree
The entry from Martin Thomas Butchers
   
Pattingham farmers tree
The entry from Pattingham farmers
   
St Chad's School tree
The festival visitors’ favourite tree: the entry from St Chad’s First School



Pattingham Bridge Club tree
Lights and playing cards on the Pattingham Bridge Club tree
   
Who's For Lunch tree
The Who’s For Lunch? tree at the west end of St Chad’s



Taken from the article in the January 2019 edition of Parish News.
Photography by Mike Moss


More information and photos can be found on the Christmas Tree Festival page.