Burnham-On-Sea’s eighth annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town this weekend, with dozens of sparkling trees on display for a fortnight.
St Andrew’s Church is holding the popular festival, which is open to the public each day.
A total of 34 local businesses and groups from across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have set up and decorated their trees with unique items according to different themes.
A service to mark the opening was held on Saturday evening, attended by many local people and led by Richard Allen.
Above: Gemini Tae Kwon-do’s tree has a ‘green’ theme and is decorated with plastics found washed up on local beaches
The church will be open from 10am to 4pm daily (except Sundays) so that people can drop in and enjoy the trees and the life-size crib scene. The Trees will be up until Twelfth Night.
Those taking part this year are Moose International, Foodbank, Vince Davey, Positive Wealth Creation, MNDA, Star Prayer Tree, Christian Aid, Town Council, plus Our Lady and English Martyrs’ Church.
Others include: St Andrew’s School, For The Fallen, St Andrew’s Church Choir, BARB Search & Rescue, Abbeyfield, Burnham Horticultural Society, Burnham Infants School, Ian Higgott, Crafty Teacup, Somewhere House, Gemini Tae Kwon-do, Childrens Hospice South West, and the Choral Society.
There are also trees from Burnham-On-Sea.com, Lawnworx Fencing, Rotary Club, Burnham Funeral Services, KDS Interiors, EAT/Burnham Food Festival, Hands Of Change, Music For The Memory, Round Tower Guesthouse, M&F Carpets and Flooring, Castlemills MOT Centre, Somerset Time For Youth, Home Hardware and St Andrew’s Church.
Above: The Parish church tree with Rev Graham Witts and Richard Allen
The vicar of St Andrew’s, the Rev Graham Witts, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Christmas tree festival began in 2008 when our nation was faced with an economic downturn and the trees were meant to cheer people up. The festival has grown from those first thirteen trees to over thirty this year.”
“After a break of a year due to preparatory works for the restoration of the church, the Christmas tree festival is taking place again this year,” he added.
Above: Somerset Time For Youth have their own tree at the festival
“There are over 30 different trees representing local businesses, charities and community groups with decorations including strings of Brussel sprouts and the faces of a local choral society.”
“The Christmas Trees are complemented by our life-size stable which this year includes a group of life-size Wise Men travelling to the stable during the weeks leading up to Christmas.”
He added: “The whole idea is to celebrate the local community and sharing together in our enjoyment, in a world where there is not a lot of good news at the moment.”
Burnham Horticultural Society’s tree features vegetable decorations!
The Food Festival tree has an edible theme with surprises in the branches
Home Hardware’s tree features some of the products it sells, including cake making items and tools
The Burnham and Highbridge Town Council tree featrres the town crest and lighthouse on top in front of the life-size crib
The Positive Wealth Creation tree has a money theme with festive coins
The Food Bank tree features a whole Christmas dinner at its base
.. and its decorations feature some of the items that are donated
