Church lights up with festive joy

A total of 24 of the festive symbols were illuminated inside St Mary's Church. A further 57 smaller trees were unlit for the three day festival from last Friday.

The magical atmosphere inside the 13th century building was enjoyed by about 370 adults and some 200 children. Festival organiser Jean Sprenkel said this year's occasion '“ the third '“ was the first to feature Sunday afternoon and evening opening.

"Because it was dark, a lot of people came along after their Sunday lunch and brought their children.

"We had just one light on in the church and, with the lights on the trees, and the organ playing it was lovely," she commented.

The festival made a 3,157 profit '“ slightly down on the previous festival two years ago. But this could be explained by the absence of craft stalls this year.

The money will be divided between the church fabric fund and the Salvation Army.

The Worthing Salvation Army band performed a concert attended by 110 people on the festival's opening evening.

Other musical entertainment was provided by the choir of Great Ballard School on Saturday afternoon.

A Christingle service was held that evening.

The parish communion on the festival's final day was conducted by the Dean of Chichester, the Very Rev Nicholas Frayling.

The parish's next Christmas tree festival will be in 2009. The community event will be the open gardens day next June 14.