Ipswich churches to run Christmas Tree festivals

 

St Mary-le-Tower church in Tower Street will run its festival from 1^st to 6^th December and is inviting local organisations to take part. Participants will decorate their own trees on their own themes, and are being encouraged to be really creative. Last year there were over 60 decorated trees, and this year the church hopes for many more from community and church groups, local charities and businesses. Further details on how to participate are available from www.stmaryletower.org.uk or by phoning 01473 289001.

 

There will be a special children’s event on Saturday 3 December which will include storytelling and a display by the winners of a “Design a Christmas Tree” competition. Children are being asked to design their ideal Christmas tree – it can be a drawing, painting or a collage and it must be submitted on paper no larger than A4 by 15 November. There are three age groups – up to 6 years old, 7 to 11 years old and 12 years old and over. Entries should include the child’s name, age and school on the reverse and be sent to The Vicarage, 18 Kingsfield Avenue, Ipswich IP4 3TA marked “Competition”.

 

Canon Charles Jenkin says: “We see this festival as a real celebration of community in the centre of the town. We made a brilliant start last year and hope to build strongly on last year’s success. The festival will have a real wow factor.”

 

St Matthew’s church will be holding their Christmas Tree festival over the weekend of 3-4 December. The church will be open for visitors (admission free) from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, and 12noon to 5pm on Sunday.

 

Organisations, individuals or charities can take part and place a decorated tree in the church (£1 for each entry), and anyone interested should contact the Church Administrator, Heather Gooding, on 01473 251630.