Church set to sparkle during first tree festival

Preparations are well under way for a church’s first Christmas tree festival.

About 25 trees decorated by schools, businesses and community groups will be on display at Southwell Methodist Church from Wednesday.

The festival is the idea of congregation member Mrs Kath Dearden, who was inspired by a similar festival she saw in Castleton, Derbyshire.

Mrs Dearden said: “We want to try to bring people into the church and show them that we are here.

“We decided not to have a charge for entry because what we really wanted to do was to encourage people to come in.”

Mrs Dearden said refreshments would be served.

She said: “We are trying hard to make it a success and get various people on board and it has been very well received.”

To celebrate the end of the festival, a service led by the church’s minister, the Rev Helen Nice, will be held in the church a week on Sunday for groups involved.

The festival, supported by Southwell Town Council, will be open to the public from 10.30am to 4.30pm from Wednesday to a week on Saturday.

Entry is free but donations can be made to Marie Curie Cancer Care and Southwell Methodist Church.

The church will be open from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Monday and Tuesday so groups can decorate their trees.