JUST like Birnam Wood in Shakespeare’s Macbeth a forest has gone on the march. This time it’s to Pembrey Parish Church.
But this is no witches curse, St Illtyd’s Parish Church is playing host to the Christmas Tree Festival for the second time with 32 businesses decorating Christmas trees inside the church.
In all 32 trees have been acquired by the church from a Gower nursery for a kaleidoscope of local businesses and organisations to decorate for a week of Church Christmas celebrations which started today (Thursday, Dec 12.)
Baubles, tinsel, ice cream cones, poppies, angels and a toy box of assorted goodies were used to make the trees individual, entertaining or to deliver a message.
Vicar’s warden Wendy Watkeys said the first time they held the festival in 2010 there were 25 trees but there were more candidates this year for the 32 slots up and down the Aisles into the Lady Chapel and around the altar in the chancel.
She said: “It really is a buzz of activity and everyone is being so creative to make every tree appealing and different.
“Our Vicar the Rev Dewi Davies had the idea three years ago and now it is so successful it could grow to become an annual festival with other activities built around it.”
The Church is open for the trees to be viewed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday when a special village carol service is being held with refreshments served and all donations going to the church.
Staff from Pembrey Country Park has decorated one of the trees with ice cream cones to reflect their busy summer time this year.
Other businesses and groups include the Church’s Genesis Children’s Group; Ship Aground and Craig y Mor Acupuncture; Serendipidy Nursery; The Ashburnham Hotel; Cylth Meithrin, Pembrey, Pembrey RFC, Friends of Court Farm; Amelia’s Diner at Pembrey Airport; Pembrey Primary School; Exquisite Design,- Sharon Thomas, Cefn Sidan Rotary Club, Murray’s Newsagents, The Ashburnham Golf Club, Four Seasons Guest House, Bryn Illtyd Nursing Hope, Pembrey and Burry Port British Legion, Adeline Guest House, Church Choir, Pembrey Automobile Racing Club, Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cerys Knight and Judith Jenkins Weddings, Pembrey with Llandyry Mothers’ Union, Eric James Funeral Directors, Parish Church, Over Sixties Club, Pembrey and Burry Port Gardening Club, Pembrey Physiotherapy Clinic and Pembrey Pottery.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell congratulated the church community for their festive entrepreneurship. She said: “This fun festive festival is also helping to deliver the true meaning of Christmas within a church. I see scope for it to become a wider and more expansive event possible including a street fair in future years.
“Randall Square in the shadow of the magnificent ancient Norman towered Church certainly lends itself to that.”
The Christmas tree Festival is Thursday December 12th, 1.30-6.30pm (1.30pm opening service to whom all are welcome); Friday December 13th: 1.30-6.30pm; Saturday December 14th, 1.30 -6.30pm, Sunday December 15th, 1.30-3.30pm and 6pm-village carol service in church.
Coffee tea and cakes will be served daily.
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