By Isle of Wight Observer
Around 70 volunteers who helped out at the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival, in December, came together for a ‘Wrap Party’ at the village’s Reading Rooms & Social Club, on Saturday, to celebrate another successful event.
They held an America Supper, with live entertainment from the Brighstone Barnacles, Steve Love, and the Wight Ukers.
The festival was held for the third year by its new organisers, Di Woodhouse and Emily Waters; they reported an extremely successful event with more than 150 tree spaces booked in record time in a matter of weeks.
However, Di said: “Emily has stepped down from the festival to gain a better work and home life balance. Where there are just the two of us, it is very challenging at times but also very rewarding when you see how much it means to everyone.
“There will be some changes, no doubt, moving forward, not just because of Emily stepping down, but where the festival is evolving and growing. Help is needed on the IT front as I am no digital master!
“So chief elves are needed in different areas, IT, media and publicity, volunteer management, four senior venue stewards, artistic development for stage set and ‘elf and safety’ of course!
“A committee will be formed from these individuals and a first meeting to recap last year’s festival and develop this year’s will take place at the start of March.”
A total of £6,459.50 was raised with around 50 charities to benefit. The headline charity for 2025 was the Daisy Ring Bus, who will receive £500 from the festival plus £130 raised in the Three Bishops. The aim is to make it a £1,000 in total, so a quiz will take place on Sunday, January 25, at the Three Bishops, with a 6pm start. Booking is essential – just phone 07581 230341.
Among the other charities to benefit are: Alzheimer Cafe IW, Isorropia Foundation, Brighstone Community Library, Parkinson’s UK IW, IW Foodbank, Wight Aid, Wave Project, Brighstone Men in Sheds, Independent Arts, New Carnival Company, St Mary’s Church, Mottistone Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, Brighstone Newsletter, Pigsty Farm CIC, Brighstone FC, Bodster Equine Assisted Learning CIC, IW Hedgehog Rescue, and the IW Bat Group.
