Festive trees show church has spirit

St Michael’s in Glassenbury Drive is this week holding its fifth annual Christmas Tree Festival and the hope is to be able to pay for making repairs.

Organiser Jan Sparkes said repeated theft left the church with “huge bills far exceeding the value of the lead stolen.”

She added: “We need to continue to raise as much money as possible to keep going.

“We have now replaced the lead with a fibreglass substitute which looks like lead, but has no resale value, and will not last as long as a good bit of lead would have done.

“On top of this we are aware that many people - apart from lead thieves - do not know we are here, so this event is an outreach to the parish as well.”

The Christmas Tree Festival is a new tradition which has proved a popular launch to the festive season.

This year’s theme of children’s books and the festival is entitled Once Upon a Time.

It opened on Wednesday and once again the church is filled with trees decorated by members of the congregation, local schools and associated organisations.

There are 24 trees for visitors to admire and the festival is open from 10.30-5.30pm with late night opening tonight from 7pm with mulled wine and mince pies.

Tomorrow visitors can enjoy the event from 10.30-5.30pm, and on Sunday from 10.30-12noon with a short St Nicholas Eve service for the family at 3pm.

The festival’s last day will be Monday from 10.30 until 4pm.

Light refreshments and a Craft and Gift tree are available every day with extra stalls, light lunches and teas on Saturday and Sunday. There is an admission charge of £2 for adults but accompanied children get in free.

Full details on their website: stmichaelsbexhill.org.uk