AFTER a year’s break because of COVID-19, St Mary’s Church, Launceston, held its popular Christmas tree festival from the evening of Friday, December 3, when it was opened by Launceston’s Mayor, Cllr Leighton Penhale, until the morning service on Sunday, December 12.

It provided a luminous atmosphere for the Advent carol service on Sunday, December 5, with some of the trees remaining in the church right over the Christmas period.

The festival followed what has become the traditional format — a glorious display of over 70 trees decorated by local organisations and businesses with seasonal music at different times from local organists and pianists as well as St Mary’s choir live for the opening and on disc. Refreshments were served throughout the festival and raised about £460. The delicious quality of the cakes was much commented upon.

The organisers, choir members Sue Tierney and Sharron Wormald, were very pleased with the result and once again there was a waiting list for organisations which wanted to participate

There was a variety both of the more traditional and some totally original trees, the latter including a wonderful tree made of re-cycled Christmas cards made by one of the local hairdressers.

Children loved the Cystic Fibrosis Support Group “duck tree” and the tree with patchwork camels. From trees made and decorated by local motor factors to the Mothers’ Union, Street Pastors to St Stephen’s, primary schools to wood turners there was something to please everyone’s eye.

Visitors commented that the festival was a haven of normality in a rather weird and wonderful world and hoped that it was back to stay.

Entry to the church was free and donations to the festival in the collection bottle raised about £1,600 which is eligible for Gift Aid worth an extra £400. The raffle, organised by choir member Jess Lancaster, who thanked local traders for providing excellent prizes, raised about £550 after printing and licence fees had been paid and the Christingle service was attended by approximately 200 children and made £300. This means a total of some £3,000 for St Mary’s as well as £300 for the Children’s Society