Art / Treefest
Treefest once again to light up St Mary Redcliffe Church for charity
A spectacular array of Christmas trees will once more adorn the gothic splendour of St Mary Redcliffe Church for the return of Treefest on December 1-4.
Open to applications from organisations across Bristol, the popular seasonal festival showcases the rich creative talent within the city, with trees decorated in unique and imaginative ways.
Walking around the church offers people a chance to learn about the diverse range of charities and organisations participating in the scheme, and to take in the festive atmosphere.
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There will be musical interludes at various junctures from Bristol Folk Singers, Storm Force 10 and Oldland Brass ensemble among others; Arabic dance demonstrations with Aid Box Community, and refreshments available throughout the festival.
Treefest 2021 – photo: St Mary Redcliffe Church
Treefest visitors will also be invited to make a donations to this year’s two nominated local charities: North Bristol Foodbank/Redcliffe Emergency Foodbank, and the volunteer-led, out-of-hours medical courier service Freewheelers EVS – known as a ‘blood bike’ group.
Funded entirely by donations and free of charge to the NHS, Freewheelers has been running for 32 years and transports vital items including blood, breast milk, pathology samples, medication and medical equipment between hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and GP surgeries.
Following a downturn in fundraising due to cancelled events over the pandemic, and now faced with an escalation in fuel costs, they are now under significant financial pressure to deliver their life-saving service at the rate of demand.
Photo: St Mary Redcliffe Church
Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe says: TreeFest isn’t the only Christmas Tree festival around; but it is the only one set amidst the soaring columns and vaulted ceiling of a church building that Queen Elizabeth First described as, “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in all England.
“You will find real trees, artificial trees and stylised trees covered in beautiful decorations, many handmade by
the donors; you’ll find trees made from a wide variety of materials from recycled plastic and paper to pompoms. It is a real celebration of the diversity of our fabulous city.
“So please come and visit to enjoy the trees, wonder at the ingenuity of those who have made them, support the two charities and ponder on the deeper meaning of Christmas in the splendour of St Mary Redcliffe Church.”
Photo: St Mary Redcliffe Church
Treefest is at St Mary Redcliffe Church from December 1-4, open from 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday and from 12-5pm Sunday. To enter a tree, you can fill out the online form here.
Main photo: Treefest/St Mary Redcliffe Church
Read more: Treefest brings Christmas magic to St Mary Redcliffe
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