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Christmas tree festival raises more than £2,000 for Farnham church




A Christmas tree festival at Farnham's parish church has raised more than £2,000.

More than 150 people visited St Mary the Virgin over the last weekend in November to enjoy 27 specially decorated spruces, firs and modern alternatives plus a memory tree supplied by Bishop's Stortford funeral director Daniel Robinson and Sons.

Children got a chance to meet Santa Claus and present him with their present wish list, and two new innovations for children – a tombola and a lucky dip – proved especially popular.

Sharon McCrindle-Guinan and Linda Strama admire a tree for the late Queen. Pic: Vikki Lince
Sharon McCrindle-Guinan and Linda Strama admire a tree for the late Queen. Pic: Vikki Lince

Songs from soprano Nancy May and carols on the organ courtesy of Andrew Bruce added to the festive atmosphere.

One of the organisers, Penny Tattersall, said: "The festival was a great success with an estimated 150 to 160 visitors over the two days, and with the help of some generous donations of food and raffle prizes, we raised in the region of £2,000 after expenses – a terrific result for our small church. This money will go towards completion of the servery and WC installation in the church.

"We're grateful to everyone who helped make the weekend so enjoyable and successful, and are already starting to look ahead to next year's event."

St Mary's Church, Farnham, annual Christmas tree festival. Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, annual Christmas tree festival. Pic: Vikki Lince
Some of the 27 trees in the pews at the festival. Pic: Vikki Lince
Some of the 27 trees in the pews at the festival. Pic: Vikki Lince
Old friends catch up among the trees - Michael and Yvonne Hunter and Carol Wylde. Pic: Vikki Lince
Old friends catch up among the trees - Michael and Yvonne Hunter and Carol Wylde. Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – a tree of sprouts! Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – a tree of sprouts! Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – a tree of sprouts! Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – a tree of sprouts! Pic: Vikki Lince
Harry Ogden checks out the Tree of Achievement. Pic: Vikki Lince
Harry Ogden checks out the Tree of Achievement. Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – display in the porch. Pic: Vikki Lince
St Mary's Church, Farnham, Christmas tree festival – display in the porch. Pic: Vikki Lince
Tree made up of mini trees. Pic: Vikki Lince
Tree made up of mini trees. Pic: Vikki Lince
Lucy Murphy with the memory tree donated by Daniel Robinson and Sons. Pic: Vikki Lince
Lucy Murphy with the memory tree donated by Daniel Robinson and Sons. Pic: Vikki Lince
Tree for the Debbie Bland Foundation. Pic: Vikki Lince
Tree for the Debbie Bland Foundation. Pic: Vikki Lince
Some of the 27 trees in the pews at the festival. Pic: Vikki Lince
Some of the 27 trees in the pews at the festival. Pic: Vikki Lince

There are church Christmas tree festivals at Holy Trinity in South Street, Bishop's Stortford, and at St Mary's in Manuden on the weekend of December 10-11, and at St Mary's in Elsenham on the weekend of December 3-4.



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