Lacock Abbey’s beautiful medieval cloister is now filled with Christmas trees decorated by local community groups and charities, the trees on display until 4th January 2016.
Visitors can discover over 25 Christmas trees and the stories behind them. There is also creative, unusual and perhaps unexpected Christmas decorations, often handmade by the groups during meetings and craft sessions, embracing their favourite Christmas memories and themes. Twinkly lights add a warm glow, creating a peaceful festive atmosphere in the cloister walks and rooms.
Community groups taking part this year include Lacock WI, Dorothy House, Riding for the Disabled and Lacock Youth Club among others. Visitors can learn about the work they do and what inspired the tree decorations, and will be invited to vote for their favourite tree.
Doorway Project Wiltshire work with homeless and marginalised adults and their women’s group made paper decorations. A representative from the group said, “We have had so much fun remembering what we used to make as children and getting our heads round the skills of origami. The paper chains of women holding hands represent how we support each other and give each other strength.”
Kristine Heuser, who works for the National Trust said, “The care and detail that goes into making the decorations is astonishing, a lot of thought goes into them, often linked to the makers own experiences. I love reading the stories that accompany each tree – to me it really brings to life the spirit of Christmas and of coming together.
“The Christmas tree festival took a break last year, so we are so excited to see the cloisters transformed again and to welcome back the local groups, including a few new faces.”
The Christmas tree festival runs over the whole holiday season and is accompanied by a Christmas family trail in the abbey grounds and village where families have to help the snowfolk match their muddled-up punchlines.
On weekends the doors to the abbey’s Great Hall open to reveal a Victorian-style Christmas, with a huge Christmas tree, warming fire and the story of how the Talbot family celebrated Christmas at Lacock Abbey in 1845. The Lacock Christmas experience is rounded off with choir performances and family craft activities on some weekends.
More details can be found online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Normal admission applies. National Trust members and ‘under 5s’ go free.
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