Following last year’s successful first festival, St Mary’s Kidlington will once again be hosting its Christmas Tree Festival in December – Saturday 14th (10am to 4pm) and Sunday 15th (11.30am to 5pm – followed by the Community Carol Service at 5.30pm). We hope this will bring together many local organisations, schools, businesses and individuals, to celebrate the joy of Christmas and to raise money for SANDS which supports those affected by the death of a baby, and Edukid, which works to remove the barriers to education faced by children living in poverty and conflict.
Edukid have kindly sent us some beautiful handmade woven bird houses which will be for sale at the festival to raise funds for their important work.
During the festival there will be live music featuring The Belles of St Mary’s, a Quartet of Ladies’ Voices, a Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Quartet (singing), The Grand Islip Parp Brass Ensemble, The Stormy Tuesdays blues band, Viola and Harp and more – more details soon. If you would like to sing or perform some music whilst the public enjoy the festive spirit do let Malc know on office@kidhp.org.uk
Help needed
We do need volunteers to help over the weekend, as well as donations of cakes and mince pies etc. We are looking for volunteers to help with the arrangements the day before it starts, and then as stewards over the times the public access. PLEASE DO OFFER TO HELP IF YOU ARE ABLE.
Before and after the event: We need a team of people to help us put the 28 trees in stands and place them in church on Friday 13th December from 8am. With enough strong hands and backs, it takes less time than you might think. After the Community Carols on Sunday 15th December, some of the trees will be taken by the tree sponsor; the rest will be sold to the general public for £5. Any trees left need to be carried out of the church.
Stewards duties / refreshments / cake making: on the public days we need a few people per hour to welcome the community and to help serve refreshments. Can you make a cake or mince pies for this event?
If you can help in any way, please sign up on the sheet at the back of the church or contact Malc on
office@kidhp.org.uk or 01865 375611. Thanks
Sponsor a tree
If you would like a tree (5ft) to be in situ, in a stand, and ready for you to decorate then please follow this link or use the QR code on the poster above. https://forms.gle/JkRkZ5oyq2QavrvV8. Only £22 for non-profit individuals or community organisations (to cover the cost of the tree, no profit is made by us at all), and £30 for businesses.
Bring your own tree
You are more than welcome to bring your own tree as some of you did last year. We ask for a minimum donation of £10. Please email me on office@kidhp.org.uk for details. Thank you all for any support you can lend this event- there will be live music and refreshments so please come and enjoy and drop some money in a bucket somewhere.
Any questions at all, no matter how big or small, feel free to email me on office@kidhp.org.uk
Thanks all, Malc