Festival of Trees

Wanting to get wrapped up in the festive spirit, I could not turn down the offer of a Festival of Trees service at St Bartholomew of Burwash church last Sunday. Set in a beautiful little village, the entire church was filled with Christmas trees. 

Local community groups had each chosen how to decorate their tree - the knitting society, the brownies and school classes from a nearby school for example.

We walked in to a school group playing Christmas carols on the handbells. Squeezing in around a Christmas tree, which was on the end of every pew, we took out seats armed with a Carol hymn sheet. For the next hour we (a rose between my mother and my aunt) sang some of the classics whilst a choir offered beautiful harmonies. 

The smell of pine in the air and twinkling lights was certainly kicking up the Christmas excitement levels. After a walk around at the end of the service and seeing this beautiful nativity scene...

...we ended the evening with a drink next door at the The Bear (view out the back of the pub in the summer is phenomenal!)  to surprise my cousin. Lovely family Sunday indeed!