Blaydon Christmas Tree Festival
Donation protected
Blaydon Community Christmas Tree Festival is held every two years in December. Not only is it a well loved and enjoyable experience for all who attend, it also raises money for charity. This December, we'll be raising money over a three day event for WaterAid and two of the Mayor of Gateshead's chosen charities:-
-The Young Women’s Outreach Project
-The North East Young Dads & Lads Project
This year we expect to break our record of 1086 attendees who visit us over the course of the weekend which includes the following activities:-
Pre-event Preparation
In the days preceding the event local business and charities sponsor over 40 fresh Christmas trees and come along to decorate them with lights, tinsel and baubles of their choice. There is a wonderful atmosphere in the building as various representatives of groups, businesses and community members gathere with their creative materials. Laughter, friendship and mutual encouragement accompany the production of some works of tree docoration art! Children are also active in preparing the Festival, with a number of trees being sponsored by children’s groups and decorated with children’s handicrafts.
Friday Evening
Visitors are greeted by a beautifully projected light show on the exterior of the church, above our main entrance. Before the official grand switch-on of the lights on Friday evening a local school comes into the building to enjoy a ‘preview’ of the Festival and experience a ‘switch-on’ of thousands of dazzling lights.
Following this, we have our grand switching on of the lights and festive celebrations. Last year we were helped by ex-Newcastle Utd footballer, Bobby Moncur, Ednie Wilson’s clog dancers and Northumbrian Pipers, various community musical groups and youth ensembles, local folk guitarists and carol singers. This year we are expecting the same excellent programme of entertainment.
Saturday
The children have a wonderful experience. On the Saturday morning there are activities organised for primary age children, which include craft, story, and singing. Many of the children are usually reluctant to go home and persuade their parents to stay for lunch and continue to enjoy the day. Everyone enters into the spirit of the event with a generous heart. In 2015 the snow machine was hugely enjoyed by children (and grown-ups!)
Sunday
On the Sunday afternoon the community carols are a treat. Many families attend and we provide activity bag for the children. Refreshments are served afterwards by young volunteers. It is a prefect end to the weekend before the big clean up starts first thing on Monday morning.
We have set up this page for anyone who wishes to make a donation to help us to make this year's event even more spectacular and to raise as much money as possible for a variety of charities that benefit the lives of so many people every year.
-The Young Women’s Outreach Project
-The North East Young Dads & Lads Project
This year we expect to break our record of 1086 attendees who visit us over the course of the weekend which includes the following activities:-
Pre-event Preparation
In the days preceding the event local business and charities sponsor over 40 fresh Christmas trees and come along to decorate them with lights, tinsel and baubles of their choice. There is a wonderful atmosphere in the building as various representatives of groups, businesses and community members gathere with their creative materials. Laughter, friendship and mutual encouragement accompany the production of some works of tree docoration art! Children are also active in preparing the Festival, with a number of trees being sponsored by children’s groups and decorated with children’s handicrafts.
Friday Evening
Visitors are greeted by a beautifully projected light show on the exterior of the church, above our main entrance. Before the official grand switch-on of the lights on Friday evening a local school comes into the building to enjoy a ‘preview’ of the Festival and experience a ‘switch-on’ of thousands of dazzling lights.
Following this, we have our grand switching on of the lights and festive celebrations. Last year we were helped by ex-Newcastle Utd footballer, Bobby Moncur, Ednie Wilson’s clog dancers and Northumbrian Pipers, various community musical groups and youth ensembles, local folk guitarists and carol singers. This year we are expecting the same excellent programme of entertainment.
Saturday
The children have a wonderful experience. On the Saturday morning there are activities organised for primary age children, which include craft, story, and singing. Many of the children are usually reluctant to go home and persuade their parents to stay for lunch and continue to enjoy the day. Everyone enters into the spirit of the event with a generous heart. In 2015 the snow machine was hugely enjoyed by children (and grown-ups!)
Sunday
On the Sunday afternoon the community carols are a treat. Many families attend and we provide activity bag for the children. Refreshments are served afterwards by young volunteers. It is a prefect end to the weekend before the big clean up starts first thing on Monday morning.
We have set up this page for anyone who wishes to make a donation to help us to make this year's event even more spectacular and to raise as much money as possible for a variety of charities that benefit the lives of so many people every year.
Organizer
St Cuthberts Church
Organizer
