This in from Chris Goodman, organiser of the annual Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival, which over the last 15 years has raised over £60,000 for local and national charities. Ed
The villages of Brighstone and Mottistone are all set to welcome all who flock to Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival to see the wonderful display of over 130 beautifully theme decorated Christmas Trees in Brighstone Parish Church; The Methodist Church; The Wilberforce Hall; Brighstone Social Club and Mottistone Church.
This major Island event, now in its 16th year, has raised over £60,000 for local and national charities since its humble beginnings as the original Isle of Wight Christmas Tree Festival back in 1996. Now attracting over 6,500 people each year who enjoy the displays; the craft fairs, concerts, carol singing, the mini market, Handbell ringing; Lace making demonstrations and much, much, more.
The Festival will run from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th December.
All welcome to official opening
Officially opening at 7pm on Wednesday 5th with the traditional Hospice Carol service, and tree lighting at Brighstone Parish Church with Tina Harris CEO of the Hospice.
Daily viewing commences the next day. Opening times are from 10am until approximately 5.30pm. There is no admission fee, but all donations go to Charity.
Other events
Our second Carol service at 3.30pm on Thursday 6th in Brighstone Methodist Church will be with Brighstone School children and Chale Choir singing in the company of our honoured guest Nick Hayward, the Isle of Wight High Sheriff.
Friday 7th December is the day to combine your viewing with a visit to the Craft Fair in the Scout Centre – open from 10am-4pm.
Saturday
On Saturday, Brighstone School hold their annual Fair which will be from 1-4pm and at 4.30pm you can enjoy carols and tree lighting in the delightful setting of Mottistone Church.
In the evening from 7pm to 9pm enjoy listening to Christmas Stories told in the Wilberforce Hall by Island Storytellers.
Sunday
All venues are open for viewing of the trees on the Sunday (please allow for the Sunday services at the Parish Church and the Methodist Church which will finish about 12.30pm.
All other venues open from 10am. Refreshments available daily in the Wilberforce Hall or Scout Centre on the Sunday.
Mulled wine and hot chestnuts will be on offer at “7” café and Bistro and Ploughmans’ lunches and hot soup will be served on the Saturday between 12 and 2pm.
Concerts
The first of our spectacular concerts will be the “Stars of Wonder Concert” in Brighstone Church at 7.00pm on the Sunday evening. This will be in aid of Island Charity “Love Russia”.
Two further concerts, not to be missed, are the End of Jubilee Year Military Band Concert on Saturday 15th at 7.30pm in Brighstone Church in the presence of HM Lord Lieutenant, Maj Gen Martin White and Lt Col Sir Guy Acland both representing ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity whilst the next day, Sunday 16th sees the traditional Mission to Seafarers Carol Concert at 7.30pm again in Brighstone Church.
With all the beautifully lit trees this creates a magical backdrop to these fantastic concerts which are very popular so early seating is recommended.
Trees up until Boxing Day
Should anyone miss the festival, the trees will remain in Brighstone Church and the Methodist Church until Boxing Day.
The full program can be viewed at www.bxtf.co.uk or (see the embedded programme below)
You can be assured of a warm welcome at Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival.
Image: Danny Norodo under CC BY 2.0
