Christmas Tree Festival at St Michaels Church

FORGET wrapping presents and writing cards. Stop making lists and spending too much. If it's the spirit of Christmas you're after, look no further than St Michael's Church.

FORGET wrapping presents and writing cards. Stop making lists and spending too much. If it's the spirit of Christmas you're after, look no further than St Michael's Church.

The Christmas Tree Festival, which opened on Wednesday, is a gentle and graceful reminder of what this time of year is all about, with an enchanting display of Christmas trees of all shapes, sizes and styles.

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The trees all have a common theme - this year it is carols - and have been made by different groups, clubs, and organisations associated with St Michael and All Angels in Glassenbury Drive.

Some are made by children, such as St Michael's Toddler Group, Glyne Gap School, and 3rd Bexhill Scout Group, while others come from more mature sources, including Tuesday Keep Fit, East Bexhill Ladies Club, Mothers Union and Nan Wilding Day Centre.

Each of the 27 trees has a different carol as its theme, from Once in Royal David's City through all the favourites - Twelve Days of Christmas, See Amid The Winter Snow, I Saw Three Ships, Little Donkey and The Holly And The Ivy.

Floating above the central aisle is the beautiful creation of Ian Fishwick which reflects the lyrics of Angels From the Realms of Glory. It is a stunning white tree with lights and a halo of flashing stars suspended in the air with Christmas angels.

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Ian spent months working on his ideas for this festival which is the third at St Michael's.

He said: "I had the idea about 12 months ago and have been planning away since. Actually we have already decided what next year's theme is going to be.

"The festival is special - the beginning of Christmas. Everyone has chosen their carol and got their own interpretation of it, and some are very ingenious."

All trees are striking and spectacular in their own way, such as the Silent Night one by Junior Church, which has white and silver angels suspended from a green tree with glittering stars, golden moons and an extremely cheery angel right on top, set against a background of night sky scattered with twinkling stars.

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Sue Crick has contributed O Little Town of Bethlehem which brings to life the town where Baby Jesus was born, with white houses and palm trees crowding around the nativity scene and angels keeping watch from on high.

The Mothers Union tree reflects the rich gold, frankincense and myrrh of the Three Kings, while Glyne Gap school's tree was simplicity itself, with bold silver and gold stars on a natural tree with a nativity scene underneath using photographs of pupils instead of faces on the little family with shepherds nearby.

Joan Aiken's tree had a waterfall of angels flowing down, illustrate the words of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.

Joan made almost 50 angels, some from wooden dolly pegs, and some from a string of golden Christmas bell decorations which she cut off and used as robes for the angel choir, the whole effect made striking by white, gold and silver colours contrasting the dark green of the branches.

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She described the festival as absolutely beautiful. It is a way of everybody expressing their thoughts in a different way. It is just giving people job, giving them something to come and see, and something to enjoy."

Organiser Jan Sparkes commented: "We are very conscious we are not on a main through road, so the people we are supposed to serve don't necessarily know we are here.

"But if we can have events like this that draw them in, perhaps they will know they can turn to us for other things as well. That is what we are here for.

"But this is also a way of preparing for Christmas. People can slow down for an hour perhaps and just enjoy themselves instead of always being so busy. It's manic out there. This is like a little oasis, so we hope people will come and look and perhaps sit and enjoy."

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Today, Friday, the festival is open to the public from 10.30am-5pm, and this evening from 7pm-9pm when visitors can also benefit from mulled wine and mince pies. Tomorrow, Saturday, opening is from 10.30am-5pm and onSunday from noon-5pm, with 6pm carols around the trees. Monday is from 10.30am-4pm. Admission is 1.50 to adults and children free, with tea and coffee served all day and light lunches available at the weekend.

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