With Christingle services being held in Churches in and around Lowestoft, two village churches underwent a wonderful transformation as they launched into the Christmas season with beautiful displays of very well dressed trees at popular festivals.
For the fourth time, Holy Trinity Church in Gisleham held a Christmas tree festival in their round tower church, in Church Road.
The Revd. Janet Wyer Rector of the Kessingland Benefice said: 'There were 27 trees of all shapes and sizes in our small church which were decorated by members of the congregation and friends in the community for the two-day festival.
'The organisers have delivered a card to every household in Gisleham to tell them what was going on in the church at Christmas and we have had a good response.
'We had a wonderful candlelit concert of Christmas music led by a young musical duo Joshua and Rose Mae which was just magical.
'As we move the festival to being bi-annual we have tried this year to concentrate on the children and held a Christingle candle-making workshop ahead of our service for youngsters on Sunday.
'Funds raised from the festival will be shared between the Children's Society and the church to pay for the upkeep of the fabric of the building, sections of which need urgent repair.'
Another Christmas tree festival took place at the parish church of Saint Mary in Blundeston Road, Somerleyton.
Spokesman Tony Crawford said: 'Visitors were treated to a stunning display in the picturesque church which was filled with a variety of trees.
'Each was different and was dressed by people from the village and by organisations. The village school, pre-school and Somerleyton estate as well as groups such as the bell ringers, ukulele players and the Women's Link all contributed trees.
'We also had a memorial tree where names and messages were displayed remembering loved ones who are no longer with us.
'The whole event was wonderful and there were lots of visitors on both days – with the church packed for the annual Christingle celebration for children in the village on Sunday.
Proceeds raised by the festival went to help a number of cancer charities as well as to the Children's Society.
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