It’s only three months until Christmas so why not plan your tree decorations?

That is the message from St George’s Church in Badshot Lea where plans are underway for a Christmas Tree Festival over the weekend of December 5-7, in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care.

Christine Brown, the festival organiser, said: “This should be a lovely community event for all. We are inviting any charity, school, organisation, group or business to represent themselves and what they do. Promotional trees and materials are allowed and it’s totally free to enter a tree.”

On the Saturday morning, both the town cryer and Father Christmas will visit to inspect the trees and encourage donations.

Christine added: “There will be donation boxes next to every tree so that people can put money into the boxes of their favourite trees. There will be a prize for the tree with the highest amount donated and half of all the money raised from the donations will go to Phyllis Tuckwell to support the wonderful work they do for our community.”

The prize will be awarded at St George’s Christmas carol service on Sunday, December 7 at 6pm. The Revd Lexi Russell, rector of the church, will not only present a trophy but also announce the amount raised during the festival.

All sizes and shapes of trees are welcome though with a base no wider than four feet. Lights can be battery or mains but should not be musical as there will be music at the festival.

Tea and cake will also be served throughout, as well as soup and rolls on Saturday, and there are plans for Christmas Morris dancing and craft stalls.

Entry forms are available from Christine Brown, [email protected] and should be returned by November 14, though once all the spaces are filled entries will be closed.