Diocese of York / News & events / News

All Saints Northallerton is teaming up with a nearby gardening business in a Christmas venture which marks a new departure for them both. For the first time this year Whitegates Nursery in West Rounton near Northallerton is marketing its own Christmas trees grown on-site – and forty of the 10-year-old trees will feature in the first ever Christmas Tree Festival to be held in All Saints Church, Northallerton.

Jon Grainge, who owns and runs the Nursery with his father Bryan, said that they were delighted to be supplying the Festival. “We are a family business with local employees and strong community links and are glad to support a worthwhile local project like this” he said. “I am sure that all the trees together will look magnificent when they are decorated.”

The Nursery, which has been in operation for 50 years and produces more than a million plants annually, has 10,000 Christmas trees growing at any one time and expects to sell 1000 of them this year.

Christmas tree festivals in churches have become quite familiar in recent years, but this is the first time one has been held at All Saints. Each of the trees is sponsored by a local business and decorated by charities and community groups in a variety of styles, reflecting their own area of activity. “This event is bringing together a wide range of organisations in our town” said the Revd Fiona Mayer-Jones, Vicar of Northallerton. “Visitors will be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere and the beauty of the trees; but they may also be surprised to discover the range of community activities which go on, many behind the scenes. Everyone is welcome to come in and have a look.”

The Christmas Tree Festival is organised by members of All Saints and St James Churches and takes place Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December (10am – 4pm Friday and Saturday, 12noon – 4pm Sunday). Admission is free. There will be refreshments and sales stalls, and musical events will also be taking place. Visitors can vote to choose the best-decorated tree, and on Sunday there will be services at 10.45am and 4pm themed around the Festival. For details visit www.cofe-northallerton.org.uk.

Pictured: The Revd Fiona Mayer-Jones helping Jon Grainge to choose the Christmas trees for the Festival