Hundreds of people flock to Christmas tree festival

HUNDREDS of people have flocked to St Boltolph’s Church to enjoy Shepshed Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Tree Festival, with the three day event being hailed a great success.

A spokesman for the festival said it had been well supported by schools, clubs and groups throughout the town with visitors impressed with the creative entries submitted for the event, with a tree by pupils from Iveshead School Interact Club decorated with handmade decorations from plastic waste.

“Shepshed Rotary Club thanks the Vicar, Rev Lydia Humphreys and the congregation for their permission and assistance in this - the event was a great success with many visitors commenting on the wide variety and inventiveness that had gone into the construction of the trees.

“The festival was well attended at all three sessions and many took advantage of the mince pies, cup cakes and ginger bread men. In a fitting end to the festival on the Sunday evening at the Advent Carol Service, Rev Lydia Humphreys gave a sermon on the significance of the Christmas Tree, relating to the care and nuture of the tree, to the care and nuture we should extend to each other.”

Winners: ADULTS: 1st St. Botolph’s Mens Fellowship; 2nd: Serenade Womens Community Choir, 3rd: Rainbows Hospice. PRIMARY SCHOOLS: 1st: St. Botolph’s Church of England; 2nd: Oxley; 3rd: Newcroft Academy. CHILDRENS ORGANISATIONs: 1st: St. Winefride’s Playgroup; 2nd: The Oak Tree House; 3rd: Shepshed Rainbow Guides.

■ The Rainbows Hospice tree.

■ The Serenade choir tree.

■ The Oak Tree House tree.

The tree from Shepshed Rainbow Guides.

■ Pictured from left to right with the St Botolph’s Mens Fellowship Group tree are Pat Harris, Rev Lydia Humphreys and President Phil Marriott..

■ Robin and Tommy with St Winefride’s Playgroup tree which won the Children’s organisations category.

■ Eva, Esmae and Thea pictured with St Botolph’s Primary School tree which won the Schools category.

■ Carter, Rocco, Caitlin and Amber pictured with Oxley Primary School’s tree.

■ Harryand Albert pictured with Newcroft Academy’s tree.