Tree Festival and Victorian Evening

On 28th November, during Warwick’s famous Victorian Evening, the Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church was opened, displaying 47 trees beautifully decorated by local community groups, businesses, and primary schools.

Visitors crammed into the church for the opening of the festival, with a queue stretching across the Square. They were invited to vote for their two favourite trees – in the organisations section in the nave, and the young people’s display in the Beauchamp Chapel.

Unlocking Warwick’s tree on the chancel steps features pictures of leading figures in Warwick’s history, suspended from keys. It immediately attracted a lot of interest with visitors trying to identify the various historical figures. Let’s hope they all vote for our tree – it’s number 16!

The Unlocking Warwick tree shows notable figures from the town’s past

The fairy on the top is Aethelflaed, the Anglo-Saxon founder of Warwick

Royalty, Earls, benefactors and entrepreneurs are all there.

‘Daisy’ Greville was the mistress of the Prince of Wales

There was plenty of interest in our tree during the festival opening.

There are more than 45 trees in the display

The Christmas Tree Festival can be viewed every day until December 8th. There is a full programme of events, including choirs, brass bands, a pop-up cafe and visits by the Mayor of Warwick and Father Christmas. Entry is just £1 for adults. For details of the programme, pick up a leaflet at the church shop, or view it online at www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk

Meanwhile the Victorian Evening was in full swing with traditional fairground stalls, sizzling street food, and some spectacular rides enjoyed by screaming youngsters. The earlier rain stopped in time for the switching-on of the Christmas lights with the Town Crier leading the countdown to the shout of “Warwick” as the town became illuminated. Here are a few pictures: