Sudbury enjoys triumphant return of Rotary Club's annual Christmas Tree Festival
The return of a long-running Christmas showcase has been hailed as a triumph, with dozens of community organisations pitching their tree to help light up a Sudbury church.
After having last year’s event scuppered by lockdown, Sudbury Rotary Club has brought back its annual Christmas Tree Festival this week, beginning on Tuesday and running through to Saturday.
Now in its 18th year, the festival is taking place at St Gregory’s Church for the first time, while the usual host venue – St Peter’s on Market Hill – is closed for a major refurbishment project.
Approximately 60 Christmas trees have now filled St Gregory’s, purchased and decorated by local schools, businesses, charities, community groups and a handful of solo participants, who have dedicated their tree to a lost loved one.
Proceeds raised from the entry fee of each participant will support the Christopher Centre, a community hub based in Gainsborough Street.
Sudbury Rotarian Malcolm Offord, organiser of the Christmas Tree Festival, said: “Last year, of course, lockdown put the kibosh on our plans.
“This year, we’re really using the festival as a challenge to Covid. So many events have been curtailed, but we were determined to put the festival on.
“We’re thrilled with the number of people who have responded and taken part. When I saw it this morning in all its glory, it was a sight to behold.
“We have got 60 trees, which has filled St Gregory’s pretty successfully. I don’t think we could have fit any more in.
“People have been very supportive, and I’m thrilled with the participation. I think it looks a triumph.
“The participants are the churches in the town, schools, businesses, charities, community groups and a few individuals. It’s a tremendous cross-section of the community. That’s one of the wonderful things about the event.”
The Sudbury Rotary Club Christmas Tree Festival is open to visitors on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 6pm, and concludes on Saturday between 10am and 3pm.
