St Peter’s and St Mary’s Church, Stowmarket, used their funding of £1500 to provide real Christmas trees for a Christmas tree festival
The project was very successful – attaining media coverage on BBC Look East. Additionally, 11 trees were also donated for free by Rougham Estate. Stowmarket Ramblers came and stewarded the event. Schools came in and asked for stewards to do a session. There were visitors from far and wide - both locally and from around the country.
The church dedicated an evening for those with sensory sensitivities. Those who came loved that it was silent. Some of the children who came for this went around several times.
Attendees were delighted with the packs for children and teenagers. They were surprised that they were free, and some got the packs out to do while having a drink at the church café. Since the Festival took place, the church have had three new families join the church, alongside a teenager joining them.
There was also a trail around Stowmarket to find a letter to make up a Christmas Carol. This was created by the Church and had local shops and community centres take part. These included Specsavers, Charity Shops, Red Gables and Estate Agents, all displaying a letter for the hunt.
The church carried the project on with the Cross Festival for Easter 2025. Schools and local groups took part in this.
