A whopping £23,500 was raised at the 2023 Bedford Christmas Tree Festival, topping the previous year’s grand total by over £3,000.
The festival attracted around 8,000 visitors over five days at the beginning of December. The annual event is a firm favourite in the town’s festive calendar, attracting participation from businesses, schools, community organisations and charities and visitors from far and wide.
Over 65 trees were on display, decorated to the theme of Kings and Queens, in honour of King Charles III’s coronation in 2023 and daily entertainment was provided by choirs, dance groups and musicians.
The funds raised will be shared equally by Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends and St Paul’s Church, Bedford.
This year the Hospital’s efforts are directed to upgrading a new CT scanner with the capacity to take dynamic X-ray pictures of the heart’s blood vessels, and thus save more lives. Funds allocated to St Paul’s will go towards its work of keeping the church open for worship and welcome and for its support of the vulnerable in Bedford.
Margaret Oakley, festival chair said: “This is the biggest and best festival we’ve ever had.
“Putting together the festival was only possible thanks to everyone who visited, performed, decorated trees, volunteered – some giving many many hours of their time – donated raffle prizes and sponsored the festival while the church building provided the magnificent historic setting. The atmosphere was truly wonderful.”
Theme for 2024…
As the fundraising total was announced, so was the 2024 theme.
“The Festival Committee is delighted to announce that ‘The Magic of Christmas’ is to be the theme for this year’s Festival which will run from 4 – 8 December 2024,” said Margaret.
“As per custom, this is the week following Advent Sunday.”
Decorators will be invited to apply for a tree in September when they can email: treefestival@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk
New volunteers are always invited to join the 200 or so team needed to arrange the Festival and manage the footfall of the 8,000 visitors.
“There is a huge variety of jobs which you could enjoy,” said Margaret. “Please do get in touch if you’d like to be part of this magical Bedford event this year.”
