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Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival amazes residents with more than 300 trees across town




A town’s Christmas tree festival is showcasing hundreds of trees decorated by different communities.

Festive spirit is filling up St Peter and St Mary’s Church in Stowmarket as 284 trees are being displayed in the church with more across six popular town venues.

The festival was launched at the Christmas light switch-on and will be open to the public until January 31.

Organiser Judy Eden is very pleased with how the festival has been going so far.

She said: “We’re pleased it’s up and running,it all looks good and that people are coming in to see the trees.

“There has been a constant stream of people and with Sunday’s Christmas Fayre it was really was like a big London attraction with hundreds coming through the doors.

Rev Michael Eden with his wife Judy Eden. Picture: Mark Westley
Rev Michael Eden with his wife Judy Eden. Picture: Mark Westley
Calla and Jessie Blair were feeling festive. Picture: Mark Westley
Calla and Jessie Blair were feeling festive. Picture: Mark Westley

“I think the festival shows some of the organisations involved in the town that visitors may not be aware of - so it also works as a bit of publicity for the different groups involved.”

The church trees have been decorated by many communities in Stowmarket from scout groups, arts clubs, multiple schools, the Women’s Institute and martial arts academies to motorcycle clubs, leisure centres, brass bands, care homes and funeral directors - as well as families and individuals.

Along with the church, trees are also on display at Stowmarket Library, Food Museum, The Walnut pub, the Red Gables gardens and Maxwell Brown Estate Agents and the town centre.

With the festival’s success, the organisers have set up a second event for Easter which is going to be the first ever Cross Festival for the church.

Venice and Octavius Perincek-Way at the Christmas Tree Festival. Picture: Mark Westley
Venice and Octavius Perincek-Way at the Christmas Tree Festival. Picture: Mark Westley
Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival is open until January 31. Picture: Mark Westley
Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival is open until January 31. Picture: Mark Westley

This Cross Festival will start on April 1 to April 16 and, similarly to the tree festival, will give different Stowmarket communities a chance to get creative and decorate a cross - more information can be found here.

Judy added: “The festival shows just how well we can all work together - whilst we’ve been open I’ve already had people come up and ask about how they can decorate a tree next year.

“It’s just such a wow factor every time I walk into the church and I love to see the town coming together.

“When people come through the doors, hopefully it might help to forget the stresses and the strains of the busyness that comes with this time of year.”



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