Bishop’s Stortford Sports Trust helps people remember lost loved ones by hanging stars on a tree

The town’s prime sports and social hub is giving people the chance to remember loved ones over Christmas and in the process boost local hospice funds.

Bishop’s Stortford Sports Trust, aka Bishop’s Stortford Community Sports Club, is erecting a large tree outside its clubhouse in Cricketfield Lane.

It will be selling paper stars for people to buy for £5 to dedicate to a loved one and to hang on the tree.

The tree’s lights will be switched on by Bishop’s Stortford mayor Cllr Richard Townsend on Friday (December 6) at 5pm, followed by carol singing and mulled wine and mince pies.

People will be able to buy the stars up to Christmas Eve.

All money raised will go to Isabel Hospice, which is holding its own Lights of Love remembrance events around its catchment area.

They started on Sunday (December 1) in Market Square, Bishop’s Stortford, and continue with one at Sayesbury Manor, Sawbridgeworth, on Saturday December 14 at 4pm.

Sport has been played on the sports club’s site in Cricketfield Lane since 1825 and it now has more than 2,500 members playing cricket, tennis, padel, squash and racketball with Bishop’s Stortford Cricket Club, Bishop’s Stortford Lawn Tennis Club and Chantry Squash & Racketball Club.