To see this report with pictures go to https://www.ansleychurch.org/news/christmas-tree-festival-2023-report/Seen on Face Book “The best ever Christmas Tree Festival”. The author of this comment is unknown, but it was mentioned many times by visitors to this year’s festival.The author of this comment is unknown, but it was mentioned many times by visitors to this year’s festival. More than anything the weather has had an impact on this year’s festival. On Monday 27th when the trees were due to arrive it pour with rain. We had managed to get as much as possible ready in the previous week. That morning team set too getting the sand filled buckets ready in church, unfortunately the delivery was delayed. An early start on a cold but dry Tuesday ensured that the lovely trees were not dripping wet and were in place in good a condition in reasonable time. Work getting the other displays in situ commenced and time was soon caught up. There was great fun had by many when they came and decorated their tree, and by Friday evening all was ready. The festival started slowly, not helped by the very icy conditions on the Saturday and fog and rain on the Sunday. Those that braved the conditions were impressed by what they saw. On Friday 8th we had the concert of traditional English Music by Jess & Richard Arrowsmith with Jo Maher There was a good number in the audience, and everyone had a good time participating in the carols and songs that they knew. By the 9th the weather was bright, and we have a constant steady stream of visitors and some very encouraging feedback. As in the past many people commented on the originality of the tree titles and the variety of things used for the decorations. Many hours were spent by lots of people making intricate objects that went onto different trees. We also welcomed again the children and parents from the local ARC and Nursery Hill Primary Schools, for their respective end of term carols and nativity readings. By the end of the event a total of £2431 had been raised of which £600 has been sent to the Mary Anne Evans Hospice and a further £94 given to the churchyard fund from the Remembrance Tree stars. This year we had 2 cakes that were raffled one was won by Lucy a local cancer support officer who is going to share it with her ‘lovely service users’. The second was won by Nancy Bradley one of our organists who will be sharing it with her family and friends. It is estimated that there would have been over 1100 different people enter the church during the event. It was good that we were able to welcome each and every one of them. The number of prayers on the prayer tree and the stars on the memorial tree as well as the number of candles lit show that our visitors are seeking that tangible support that the church may offer. Thank you to the many people involved in putting this event together, providing support during it and clearing up at the end. With God’s good grace we had another wonderful festival. More than anything the weather has had an impact on this year’s festival. On Monday 27th when the trees were due to arrive it pour with rain. We had managed to get as much as possible ready in the previous week. That morning team set too getting the sand filled buckets ready in church, unfortunately the delivery was delayed. An early start on a cold but dry Tuesday ensured that the lovely trees were not dripping wet and were in place in good a condition in reasonable time. Work getting the other displays in situ commenced and time was soon caught up. There was great fun had by many when they came and decorated their tree, and by Friday evening all was ready. The festival started slowly, not helped by the very icy conditions on the Saturday and fog and rain on the Sunday. Those that braved the conditions were impressed by what they saw. On Friday 8th we had the concert of traditional English Music by Jess & Richard Arrowsmith with Jo Maher There was a good number in the audience, and everyone had a good time participating in the carols and songs that they knew. By the 9th the weather was bright, and we have a constant steady stream of visitors and some very encouraging feedback. As in the past many people commented on the originality of the tree titles and the variety of things used for the decorations. Many hours were spent by lots of people making intricate objects that went onto different trees. We also welcomed again the children and parents from the local ARC and Nursery Hill Primary Schools, for their respective end of term carols and nativity readings. By the end of the event a total of £2431 had been raised of which £600 has been sent to the Mary Anne Evans Hospice and a further £94 given to the churchyard fund from the Remembrance Tree stars. This year we had 2 cakes that were raffled one was won by Lucy a local cancer support officer who is going to share it with her ‘lovely service users’. The second was won by Nancy Bradley one of our organists who will be sharing it with her family and friends. It is estimated that there would have been over 1100 different people enter the church during the event. It was good that we were able to welcome each and every one of them. The number of prayers on the prayer tree and the stars on the memorial tree as well as the number of candles lit show that our visitors are seeking that tangible support that the church may offer. Thank you to the many people involved in putting this event together, providing support during it and clearing up at the end. With God’s good grace we had another wonderful festival.
This year it will be our 18th Christmas Tree Festival there will be as in past years 60 trees in the church together with the larger Remembrance Tree. All the trees will be decorated by local individuals, families, schools, businesses, or groups and organisations. The festival commences on Saturday 2nd December and will be open the three weekends up to Christmas. Saturdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon – 5 p.m. The church can also be opened by arrangement for groups during the week. During the event there will be hot drinks and mince pies available in the annexe. There will also be a raffle for the specially made Christmas Cake. Admission will continue to be £2.00 per person and accompanied children under 12 will be free. The proceeds will be in aid of Church funds, with a donation being given to the Mary Ann Evans Hospice. This Festival is enjoyed by all ages, starting with the “Wow” factor when entering the church with all the lights on. We are sure that our tree decorators will come up with equally imaginative titles and varied displays as in past years. Jess & Richard Arrowsmith with Jo Maher will be returning again this year as part of their Christmas tour on Friday 8that 7.30 p.m. They will be performing a concert of traditional English songs and music with many Christmas carols. This lively concert is really well received each year. There will be the traditional trees that we have each year e.g. the Poppy Tree and The Remembrance Tree, where visitors can put the names of loved ones on a star and make a donation toward churchyard grass cutting which costs over £4,500 each year. In the vestry there will be the Prayer Tree and the opportunity to light a candle. Other than the trees, there are again a selection of Christmas and winter displays in windows and suspended from arches and ceilings. As in previous years, there will be a crib on the altar to remind all of us that the gift to mankind of the baby Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas. On Sunday 10th there will be a Christingle service with donations to the Children’s Society. Everyone will be given a Christingle during the service and use back at home. The festival will finish with the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols service at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 17th When we will have a few moments just before the service with just the lights from the trees. The trees will remain in the church until after Christmas so will be in situ for the Communion service on Christmas morning at 10.30 a.m.
“Peaceful and Heavenly! “Emotional, wonderful display of God’s love xx” “God is Light” “Stunning, delightful, beautiful meaningful arrangements!” “A fantastic display so full of meaning and so beautiful. Thank you to all involved.” Just some of the comments written in our visitor’s book. There were many more given verbally. Some of the most rewarding for us is that the theme of ‘Numbers’, and the programme wording particularly brought the Christian message over. Ever since our Flower Festivals began the main aim has been to spread the message of Jesus through another medium. It is always a joy to decorate St Laurence Church and when people come and receive that message, we thank God that our main aim has been achieved. This year the weather was mostly dry but a bit cool and it was a shame that only a few people were able to sit in the churchyard to enjoy their tea and cake. But the fact that we had to send out for more cakes on the Monday was very encouraging. Many visitors were able to enjoy our refreshments and we are very grateful to the many people who provide our cakes, and to those who serve them. The Saturday and Sunday saw a constant stream of people visit the festival but Monday was very different. We don’t officially open till 11a.m. but as is often said if we are there the church is open, even if you have to make your own cup of tea! From just after 9.30a.m. we had visitors, meaning the carpet was not hoovered that morning, and the rate at which they arrived was amazing. By the time the Morris Dancers came to give one of their most appreciated displays, people were looking for places to park. We are very grateful to the Goadby family for providing extra parking for us. We certainly needed it on the Monday. We must apologise to the people who were unable to get a drink because of the long wait for a cuppa that afternoon. As last year we used pot plants to add colour and variety to the festival and we say thank you to those who lent their beautiful plants to enhance the church. We again used the beautifully embroidered flowers that have now been given to the church. It is our intention to offer these for a donation next year, but how are we to put a cost on the hours of work that these flowers have taken to produce. This year it has been greatly felt that God has helped us,through the provision of all we needed. Especially the flowers and extra people who offered to help when we were busy, both in the preparations and during the event. As always we have to say a big thank you to the many people who helped with the various tasks and duties e.g. organising the Quiz the prize donated by JKE Ltd Nuneaton, greeting people at the door, the cakes for the raffle and selling the tickets, by making cakes, produce for the stall and those manning the stalls the cleaning before during and after the event and - clearing things away after! The financial result was also a bonus especially in this current economic climate. We raised £3,235. The donations to the Nuneaton Hospital League of Friends and the Acorn Children’s Hospice will be presented at Harvest Festival. A big thank you to everyone again.
