Inaugural event hits right note

Inaugural event hits right note

6 December 2023

KILLYLEAGH Parish Church opened the doors on the town’s first ever Christmas tree festival on Friday morning.

Festival organisers had embarked on this journey just nine weeks ago with the aim of holding a community event to mark the start of Advent and bring people together in the run-up to Christmas following several difficult years when gatherings were not possible and many connections to the church had been severed.

It was clear this objective was achieved and more, with initial hopes of around 20 tree submissions dwarfed by the final total of 65 trees — a clear indication of the support of the community of Killyleagh and surrounding areas.

The thriving community spirit was further demonstrated by generous sponsorship from local businesses, without which the festival could not have happened. 

First in through the door were 110 children from there choirs of Killyleagh Integrated Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Cedar Integrated Primary School, who kicked off the festivities in style with wonderful singing while their teachers, parents, and some early bird visitors watched to great delight.

From then on there was a steady stream of almost 1,300 enthralled visitors admiring the vast creative talent on display across the three days. The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev David McClay, even took time out of his busy schedule to by. 

Visitors were also treated to musical accompaniment from a variety of organists and musicians from the local area throughout the weekend, all of which led to a very special festive atmosphere.

Each of the trees was unique, carefully planned and installed to represent the contributor.

The buzz in the church and around the town was truly something special, with some visitors making a return trip to have another look, or to catch their favourite performer.

Local businesses held competitions or offered lifts to and from the festival. There seems to have been talk of little else for days and that trend seems set to continue as everyone looks back on a wonderful event.

One of the organisers, Carol McCloy, said: “It has been amazing to see the whole Killyleagh community come together to support this event. We have seen so many people come into the church over the past three days. It has been truly overwhelming.

“It has been great to see everyone enjoying the trees, singing along with the carols, and leaving with a smile on their face. The festival committee is really humbled and beyond grateful to all the businesses, organisations and individuals who have made all the hard work worthwhile.” 

The visitors also demonstrated their community spirit and support for the event through their donations. Final counting is underway but early indications are that over £4,000 has been raised, to be split equally between church funds and the Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge facility in Newcastle — a truly incredible outcome at an expensive time of year and with so many worthy causes in desperate need of support.