Christmas trees shine at Shaw Church festival despite Storm Darragh

More than 100 visitors attended Shaw Church’s Christmas Tree Festival at the weekend, which saw local groups and schools decorate a tree with a bespoke design.

Visitors voted for their favourite trees, with the winners of the children’s category being Shaw & Whitley Pre-School, and the winner of the adult category was The Eco Tree by Sue Moffat.

A member of the church, Mike Sarson-Rowe, said, “This is not the first time we have held a Christmas Tree Festival; I don’t think there was one last year but it has been such a success we are going to do it again. There are so many clubs and groups; the people who meet for coffee and the knitting group all took part.”

Mike said those who took part had made all of their own decorations. “The coffee club had made knitted sandwiches to hang on their tree,” he said.

Starting the event on Friday 6th December, were pupils from Shaw C of E Primary School, who sang carols. The church was then open for three days for the community to view the trees.

Despite storm Darragh, Mike said people still turned out to support the festival. “There were a lot of people on Friday and there was a little burst of people on Saturday afternoon, when people ventured out, those who didn’t have to come very far,” said Mike. “The road to Melksham was closed on Saturday morning which didn’t help because it meant that no one was driving past.

“On Sunday we had a church service, so it made for a really nice atmosphere on Sunday morning with the church mostly full. I don’t think there is any doubt that everyone said that was well worth it.”

Earlier in the year, the church team removed the pews allowing for more space to enable the church to accommodate more community groups and events.

“It means we are flexible now,” said Mike. “We can make space for whatever we want to do and when the children come in from school, there is lots of space for them.”

Pictured: Winner of the adult category – The Eco Tree by Sue Moffat