The 2024 Christmas Tree Festival will be our 19th, and each year we are always amazed at the ingenuity of many individuals and organisations that take part in this community event. With 60 trees around our ancient church, as well as other displays on the Christmas theme, the church looks very festive.
As usual the event will commence on Saturday 7th December and will be open each weekend up to Christmas. Saturdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon – 5 p.m. Throughout the event there will be hot drinks and mince pies available in the annexe. There will also be a raffle for the specially made Christmas Cake.
The church can also be opened by arrangement for groups during the week.
Admission will continue to be £2.00 per person and accompanied children under 12 will be free. The proceeds will be in aid of Church funds, and as in past years a donation being given to the Mary Ann Evans Hospice the charity we have supported since 2015.
This Festival is enjoyed by all ages, starting with the “Wow” factor when entering the church with all the lights on. We are sure that our tree decorators will come up with equally imaginative titles e.g. “Mechanictree”, “Panetree” and “The Bumble Tree”.
Other than the trees, there are again a selection of Christmas and winter displays in windows and suspended from arches and ceilings. As in previous years, there will be a crib on the altar to remind all of us that the gift to mankind of the baby Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas.
There will be the traditional trees that we have each year e.g. the Poppy Tree and The Remembrance Tree, where visitors can put the names of loved ones on a star and make a donation toward churchyard grass cutting. In the vestry there will be the Prayer Tree and the opportunity to light a candle.
Jess & Richard Arrowsmith with Jo Maher will be returning again this year as part of their Christmas tour on Saturday 7th at 7.30 p.m. They will be performing a concert of traditional English songs and music with many Christmas carols. This lively concert is really well received each year. Tickets are available online at £10 for adults plus £1 booking fee at https://wegottickets.com/event/636674/
The report and photographs of last year’s festival can be found at https://www.ansleychurch.org/news/christmas-tree-festival-2023-report/