By Mal Butler
Two new venues will feature in this year’s Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival to be held between December 7-10.
The event is in its 27th year and attracts visitors from across the country. It is now being organised by Diane Woodhouse and Emily Waters after its founder, Chris Goodman, stepped down two years ago.
Last year, they held a scaled-down version at the IW Pearl Centre, but this year there will be a full festival for the first time since lockdown.
Diane said: “We have been getting on with things slowly, but it’s a huge operation and we both work full-time. Sometimes we’re having video calls to catch-up at 10pm!
“We have tried to work sensitively with everyone, especially the churches, and are getting an understanding of the festival. Everything is new to us and we are looking to find the next generation of volunteers as we look to the future.”
Emily added: “We have created a new website, thanks to Matt Courtney at MCIT, although we are still taking manual bookings.
There will also be two new venues at Calbourne Church and Calbourne Mill. There are parking problems in and around Brighstone, so we are looking to shift some of the footfall to Calbourne.
“Another new aspect of the festival will be a tractor run, to reflect our agricultural heritage, and the Vectis Vintage Tractors will be travelling from IW Pearl at 3.30pm on Saturday, December 9 and visiting all the venues. The tractors will all be decorated in Christmas lights and tinsel.”
Other special events held throughout the week will be a Lights of Love carol service at St Mary’s Church, Brighstone, on Wednesday, December 6, at 7pm. There is a nativity pageant at Brighstone Methodist Church, as well as Christmas quizzes and raffles, special visits from Father Christmas, live musical performances and craft markets, local acts, face-painting, and home made refreshments.
There will be a park-and-ride service offered by the FYT Bus, and entry into each venue is free, with donations welcome.
There will be around 150 trees across all venues and there are some places still available for specific venues. Islanders are asked to nominate a charity for donations via iow.life/brightsonexmas.
Isle of Wight Observer