Everything you will need to join the fun is here!
It's time to join in.
We have confirmed dates for tree festival 2023 as Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December. Please put the date in your diary and watch this space for details.
CHRISTMAS TREE FACTS
Things you may or may not know!
Although often associated with pagan tradition, the first modern reference was in Germany in 1570. A Bremen guild chronicle of 1570 which reports how a small fir was decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers, and erected in the guild-house, for the benefit of the guild members' children, who collected the dainties on Christmas day. Another early reference is from Basel, where the tailor apprentices carried around town a tree decorated with apples and cheese in 1597.
The Christmas tree was first introduced to Britain by Queen Charlotte (wife of King George 3rd) but did not spread beyond the royal family.
Prince Albert is credited with starting the current tradition of Christmas trees in the UK.
Top Tip
Cut ½ inch from the bottom of a cut tree in order to open it’s pores and encourage it to take on more water.
Fresh trees are easy to recycle. Over 12,000 tons of Christmas trees will be thrown away each year.
Varieties of Christmas tree Norway spruce - the traditional choice and usually the cheapest. It has fallen from favour in recent years, as it tends to shed needles quite heavily. Nevertheless, if well watered and kept away from radiators it will drop fewer needles.
Nordmann fir - the most popular tree these days due to its needle-holding qualities. It has strong, straight branches clothed with thick, flat needles with a silvery underside. But it's the most expensive as it's much slower growing.
Fraser fir - this has a good shape and excellent needle-holding qualities.
Blue spruce - this tree has a silvery-blue colour to the thick needles and an aromatic, citrus scent.
Scots pine - a little more unusual, but a wonderful, bushy tree, with extra long needles that don't drop as readily.
Top Tip
All fresh trees will benefit from being watered regularly. Take care not to water any electric lights!
CAN YOU SUPPORT US?
No Gift is Too Small
£50 PLUS
Become an event sponsor
If you have a company and would like to offer a bit more support by sponsoring the festival in some way we would love to hear from you. If you can help us to cover our costs we will have more to support the church and the community. Support does not have to be financial, we always need raffle prizes and donations of goods for our stalls.
HOW TO FIND US
How to find us
From M1 Northbound
Exit at junction 12 (Toddington) and turn right towards Westoning. Continue through Westoning and into Flitwick. At the first roundabout (Tesco petrol station) turn right over the Railway Bridge then left towards Ampthill. At the next roundabout (one -o - one garage) go straight over and up the hill into Ampthill. Straight across two mini roundabouts into the town centre. Turn left for Woburn Street or right for Waitrose car park (entrance to right of the Willen Hospice shop).
From M1 Southbound
Exit at junction 13. Turn left. Keep to right hand lane and turn right at the lights towards Ridgemont. Follow the road into the village - please take care through the road works. At the T junction turn right and follow the road. Pass Millbrook golf course and turn left into Ampthill (the park will be on you left) follow this road to the town centre.
The Church will be signposted from the town centre.
