 The 2011 Festival, held in Tavistock Parish Church, followed two highly successful years in 2009 and 2010 and happily exceeded our expectations, breaking all of last years records.
Fifty six trees, beautifully decorated by local organisations and businesses, were displayed in the Church for ten days between 25th November and 4th December , and there were also delicious refreshments, and a wonderful programme of more than 30 musical performances by local schools, choirs and musicians.
We estimate that over 4,000 paying adults, around 1,500 children and a 1.000 people attending services saw the trees, with over 2,000 people coming through the doors on Dickensian Evening. A lot of money was raised, with a surplus of over £6,000, which is likely to reach £7,000, with the anticipated receipt of a major donation. The number of votes cast for the favourite tree were very high, with all or the trees having their supporters. In the end, the visitor’s favourite tree was the one decorated by Tavistock Church Schools Federation, (above) a joint effort between St Rumon’s Infant School and St Peter’s Junior School. The theme of their decoration was “Natures Bounty of Christmas Decorations” and the orange fruit represented the schools links with a primary school in Uganda. Trees decorated by Tavistock Launderette, Operation Sunshine, Tavistock Primary and the St Eustachius Church also attracted large numbers of votes.
The Christmas trees lit up Tavistock for ten dull winter days, and we know that they lit up the lives of a very large number of people and we give thanks for that. We also give thanks to all those who decorated the trees, who made the refreshments, who performed the music and who helped with the Festival in so many different ways. We would like to give particular thanks to The Robey Trust, who loaned us their trestle tables, and to the men from the Tavistock Town Council, who provided the “muscle” to move and place the trestles and the trees. We know that Tavistock is a wonderful community, with an equally wonderful Church at its centre, and we think that the 2011 was a truly joyful manifestion of that.
The Festival was organised and managed by the Friends of St Eustachius’ whose aim is to raise money to help maintain and improve Tavistock Parish Church. Many of our members are not regular church goers, but have tremendous affection for the Church and wish to support the fund raising efforts, and also to enjoy the frequent social events, which take place throughout the year. If you would like to consider joining the Friends, then please contact the parish office, tel 01822 616673 for further details.
Ray Hurle for Friends of St Eustachius’
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