A spectacular Christmas tree festival is set to bring light, colour and joy while raising vital funds for charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The popular free event is taking place at Fakenham Parish Church from tomorrow (28th November) until 5th December (10am until 8pm).
During that time, the church will be awash with more than 50 trees – each representing a different charity, including EACH. Money raised from individual bucket collections will then go directly to that particular cause.
EACH volunteer Judith Inward has been running the festival since 2014 and planning for this year began in April, when charities paid £15 to reserve their tree, kindly donated by Fakenham Garden Centre.
Judith and husband Keith then started decorating the trees earlier this week – trying to make them all look different – in anticipation of the public beginning to arrive tomorrow.
“It’s a lot of hard work but something I enjoy doing, and the church always looks absolutely beautiful when we’re done,” said the mum of three, who also has five grandchildren and organised her first tree festival in 2014.
“It really is a spectacular sight, especially when it gets dark and the lights are on, and it’s become a popular event here in Fakenham.
“We have hundreds of visitors across the week, and, as well as the trees, we also have refreshments, a tombola and a stall selling festive gifts.
“We raise lots of money for so many worthy causes, and I’m delighted one of them is EACH.
“It’s a charity I’m passionate about and very much enjoy volunteering for.”
As well as working tirelessly to arrange the festival, Judith handmakes many of the beautiful decorations, including pom poms, bows and paper angels.
