St Paul’s Church’s Christmas Tree Festival has raised its highest total in 25 years, with this year’s Past, Present and Future event bringing in £31,044.46 for St Paul’s and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends.
The total is almost £8,000 more than last year and has been hailed as a “truly astonishing achievement” by organisers of the festival, which for many Bedford residents marks the start of Christmas.
This landmark 25th anniversary year was recognised with a High Sheriff Award from the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Mrs Camilla King, for a quarter-century of community involvement and fundraising.
A team of volunteers, along with around 50 choirs and performers throughout the week, helped bring thousands of visitors to the church.
Organisers say the record-breaking figure is thanks to the tree decorators, performers, volunteers, sponsors and the thousands of visitors who supported the festival throughout the week.
Community at its heart
The festival has been led for the past eight years by Margaret Oakley, who has helped to grow its scale, reach and complexity.
Margaret said: “For me, maintaining the wide community involvement is as important as raising funds.
“From the wonder of the schoolchildren, the sheer joy of the SEND community, to the thousands of people who now come from beyond Bedford to see what we have created, is truly rewarding.
“How many times did we hear the words, ‘I did not know that so many groups existed in Bedford’?”
The overall winners of the People’s Choice competition were:
- Adult-decorated tree: Lemon & Ginger – Knit, Crochet, Sew, closely followed by Aragon Lacemakers
- Children’s decorated tree: Ukrainian Children in Bedford, followed by Edith Cavell Primary School
Each of the People’s Choice winners received a trophy sponsored by Lane & Homes estate agents.
Four children also won book tokens in the festival competition, sponsored by Times Tables Rock Stars.
Jane Beard Associates also sponsored the festival in memory of Jane, a former Chair of Bedford Hospital & Friends Charity
Supporting local charities
All money raised is shared equally between St Paul’s Church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends.
St Paul’s share will support the church’s work in keeping the building open for worship and welcome, and in its ongoing support for vulnerable people in Bedford.
The hospital charity’s share will go towards refurbishing a specialist stabilisation and treatment room on Riverbank Ward for children with cancer.
The theme for 2026 will be announced later this month. You can keep up to date with the festival on their Facebook page.
