Fifteen local Dewsbury businesses and organisations will share their own Christmas message in Dewsbury Minster this year –by decorating a Christmas tree.
It is the first Tree Festival the Minster has held in recent years and it is part of their wide-ranging community outreach work.
The trees will go on display inside the Minster from December 3rd to 24th and visitors are invited to come in and vote for their favourites.
Churchgoer, Graham Mansfield said:
“ In 2017 the challenge to spread the Word and grow in faith and outreach has never been more exciting.
“We wanted to do something to say thank you to our many sponsors and supporters throughout the year and give them the opportunity to promote their own business and activity in the context of team building within the community of the church.
“And what better time, than Christmas,’ he added.
Kirkheaton is holding its Christmas Tree Festival on 9 & 10 December 10.30am-4.30pm.
With live music, activities for children, food and lots of lovely trees to enjoy.
Saturday 9th: Main Festival Display & Entertainment.
Sunday 10th: Service at 10.30am. Festival continues and closes at 4.30pm with carols around the trees.
In Birkenshaw, St Paul’s is holding its first Christmas tree festival for those organisations and community groups which regularly use the church and church hall during the year – but with a twist.
Each local group has to decorate its tree to represent a popular Christmas song or carol – and they don’t get to choose!
Currently the vicar, the Revd Danny Walker, is busy, being creative, and coming up with different songs for the groups to base their decorations on.
So far he has chosen Bark the Herald Angels Sing for the local dog walking group and is just thinking about what to give the Tots group and the Mothers’ Union!
There will be 26 trees in all representing all the local community groups and uniformed organisations.
St Paul’s tree festival will run from 8-10th December.
Halifax Minster will begin its Christmas season with its first Christmas Tree festival this year from December 1 – 4th with 32 Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by different organisations across the town.
The vicar, the Revd Canon Hilary Barber said he hoped this would be come an anuual event.
It is open from 10 – 4pm each day and 12- 5pm on the Sunday.
You can see Halifax Minster's programme in full at www.halifaxminster.org.uk