Brightlingsea Virtual Christmas Tree Festival
The Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festival is one of the town's biggest and most-loved events. This year – like many other social gatherings – it was unable to take place so we moved it online. Instead of voting for their favourite trees after viewing them at All Saints' church, visitors to Brightlingsea Info were able to vote online.
Donations towards the festival fund, which will help to maintain and improve All Saints', totalled £253 - thanks to all for their generous giving.
The winners are:
- Adult Individual – Andy Conroy (aka Mr Windows) “haP.P.E Christmas”
Adult Group – Brightlingsea Food Bank “Elves on the Shelves” Runner Up – Special Commendation – Brightlingsea Museum “Shipwrights Tree”Individual Young Person – Florence Andrews – Elves of Advent Tree Youth Group – 4 YOUth “4YOUth Christmas Treats
Since the start of the Brightlingsea Christmas Tree Festivals in 2003 much of the funds raised (nearly £80,000) has gone towards repairing stonework and planning to install amenities at All Saints’ Church. Currently we have great plans to share the church’s exceptional heritage among a wider audience and make the church a safe and welcoming place.
Under the project called “Tower of Strength” we have outlined what needs to be repaired and what needs to be installed (an equal-access WC and a kitchenette), then applied for grants to help make these plans happen - we need at least £600,000. So far, we have had help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and All Churches Trust as well as other organisations, with more hoped for, but this has allowed us to make a good start in getting professional advice on board.
Creating enthusiasm and recruiting volunteers has seen the setting up of “All Saints’ Angels” as a catalyst group to provide and capture local interest. Much more work, fund-raising and action is needed to make our dreams come true – if you want to be involved in any way, contact Elizabeth Foss Smith on [email protected]
Enter the Virtual Christmas Tree Competition
Use the form below to enter your tree for this year's competition. You can add up to three pictures - ideally landscape rather than portrait as these work best on the website. All entries will be reviewed before publishing, so don't panic if you don't see it appear immediately!
Judging will open on December 12 – come back then and you'll find a voting form on this page. Good luck!