Two-day seasonal spectacular in St Mary's

Around 2,500 visited Horncastle parish church for last year’s Christmas Tree Festival and this year organisers hope to top that number.

Once again, the church will be filled with decorated trees and wreaths created by groups and businesses in the town.

However, the backdrop to the whole event will be the 1,000 plus stars created by the community.

“People are in full flow creating the “Galaxy of Stars” spectacular, so if you picked up a star from one of the shops around the town, please make sure you decorate it and return it this week,” said Linda Patrick.

“Anyone who doesn’t have one of the templates can still create their own design and bring it to St Mary’s Church by Wednesday, December 6.”

The event itself runs over the weekend of December 9 and 10, when there will be stalls and the popular vicar’s hamper raffle, as well as a main raffle.

The event will round off on the Sunday with the chance to get into the Christmas spirit and take part in the Big Carol Sing, accompanied by Banovallum Junior Brass, when the aim id to get as many people as possible singing popular Christmas carols.

But while all this festivity is going on, there is also the opportunity to think about others who will not be having such a merry time.

Horncastle resident Dave Birchall has been busy handcrafting tea light holders which will be on sale over the festive weekend.

“I thought it would be good to think about those people living in areas of conflict around the world,” said Dave.

“The idea is to give a donation for the candle holder - whatever you can give, whether that is 10 pence or £100, which will go to a charity supporting refugees and those displaced by war.

“Then on Christmas Day, light the candle and think about those people.

“Maybe after Christmas, people might want to give again in appreciation of what they have.”