Christmas trees pack historic church with festive colour

Scores of Christmas trees have gone on display in a North Yorkshire church as part of an annual celebration during the festive season.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2011, 11:45 BST

Visitors to the ancient St Mary’s Church, which stands in the shadow of Whitby Abbey, are being given the chance to see more than 80 Christmas trees decked out with an array of colourful decorations.

Businesses, charities and families contribute a tree each year to go on display after the idea was dreamt up by church warden John Hemson’s wife, Sheila.

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Among the organisations taking part this year are the NSPCC, Dalewood House and the famous Fortune’s Kippers smokehouse.

Church maid Ada Roe said: “The festival has been going on for about eight years. People come and put up a Christmas tree and it makes it more festive during the Christmas period. All we ask is for a donation for the church to keep the door open. The church was built in 1100 and it takes a lot of upkeep.

“It really brightens up the building and the trees come from far and near. We have got about 86 and it looks beautiful. The decorations are often themed, for example the kipper house tree is decorated with miniature fish.”

The festival continues until Monday, January 2, and the church is open every day weather permitting.

Related topics:St Mary's ChurchNorth YorkshirePeople