Last chance to enjoy town's Xmas tree festival (From News Shopper)

Last chance to enjoy town's Xmas tree festival

9:57am Sunday 11th December 2011 in News By Robert Fisk

TODAY is the last day to see a miniature forest of trees which has sprung up at a church in Orpington as a community comes together to celebrate Christmas.

The Orpington Methodist Church originally dreamt up the idea for a Christmas tree festival in January and had only expected to have about 30 trees.

But the whole town has got behind the event at the church in Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, with 88 on display.

Festival organiser Ruth Barriskill said: “It has developed far better than I ever could have dreamed.

“The church is reaching out to the community and the people are coming together and it’s a new way of people learning what we believed at Orpington Methodist Church.”

Trees have been designed by churches, charities, businesses, clubs, societies, families and individuals.

Reverend David Gillman said: "Community groups and businesses in Orpington have exceeded all expectation in decorating over eighty trees that are on display and there is opportunity to vote for the ones the public think are most creative.

"Best of all they tell a story, sometimes something personal, others of the service and activity of groups that are working through the year.

"The sight of all the trees together is stunning - come along and enjoy the atmosphere, there is music and refreshments."