Applications opened on the 19th April, and closed at the end of May. All successful applications were informed of their place by the end of June. Any late applications are placed on a waiting list, and as experience tells us that it is likely that at least one charity will drop out before the festival, it is worth contacting us if you are still interested.
It is now the time when groups are filling out their volunteer forms which have to be returned – hard copies only please – by 14th September. If anyone has a problem printing a volunteer form, please contact us. Volunteer forms for the general public will be available in church from the end of July.
All trees are kindly donated as usual by Fakenham Garden Centre.
There will be a Christmas Market selling Christmas gifts, crafts and ‘goodies’ – including small beautifully decorated home made Christmas cakes – and a bookstall full of beautiful new books and similar gifts; a raffle and our ever popular tombola. Our Church Café will be open for refreshments between 10am and 5pm including our famous home-made cakes, filled rolls and home made soups.
The festival will be open from 10.00am – 8.00pm every day except Sunday, when it will be midday – 8.00pm, after the 10am Festival Service, where the charities and groups represent their work. Refreshments will be available between 10am and 5pm.
We are happy to welcome leashed, well-behaved dogs. They will not be allowed in the kitchen/cafe areas, but you are welcome to purchase refreshments and consume in other areas of the church.
It is essential that all coach, school, youth or residential groups book well in advance. This is to avoid clashes, safeguard against overcrowding, and to make sure that all visitors have the best experience possible. Bookings will be taken from the launch on 19th April. Groups are asked to book by ringing Alison on 01328 864685 or contacting the team at fakenhamchristmastreefestival@gmail.com .
We are looking forward to the church once again buzzing with people enjoying the trees and the celebratory atmosphere, and raising much needed funds for the charities taking part.
The CTF Team will, at all times, insist on adherence to whatever COVID guidelines are in place at the time.
If you need to contact us please email us at fakenhamchristmastreefestival@gmail.com or phone 01328 864685
We are delighted that you are interested in taking part in the 2024 Fakenham Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival. Please read all the 2023 information below to give you an idea of the commitments involved.
Applications will be accepted following the launch around Easter and up to the closing date at the end of May.
If you need to contact us please do so by email to fakenhamchristmastreefestival@gmail.com or phone 07999 532002 or 01328 864685.
Please read the terms and conditions below:
Administration
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application when we can confirm the festival will take place. Acceptance of applications will be at the discretion of the Festival Team.
You must circulate all information regarding the Festival, including a copy of this leaflet, to every volunteer for your charity who is in any way involved in the Festival.
It is a condition of participation that your charity is represented at a meeting in early October. Failure to attend may result in your charity losing their place in the Festival. Your representative at this meeting must be someone who will be responsible for, and actively involved in, your charity’s participation in the festival.
You will not have to buy a tree. Fakenham Parish Church, generously sponsored by Fakenham Garden Centre, will provide trees for all organisations.
Please note: The Application Form requires an emergency phone number on which you can be contacted 8am—8pm during the festival period
Trees
All trees are generously donated by Fakenham Garden Centre.
You may set up your tree on the Tuesday before the festival between 9.00am – 8.00pm (the church will be closed and locked at 8.00pm) and/or the Wednesday 9.00am – 12.00 noon. All trees must be ready by 12.00 noon on the Wednesday before opening to allow for preparation for the Festival ‘Switch-on’.
Trees must be taken down between 8.00pm and 9.00pm on the last Thursday evening (the church will be closed and locked at 9.00pm) or between 8.00am and 10.00am on the Friday. All trees must be cleared by 10.00am on the Friday for church cleaning.
Stripped trees should be taken into St Peter’s Garden, or may be taken away for future use if you wish.
The allocated space for your tree will be 3’ x 3’ (1sqm). All display items, stand or table, and your money bucket must fit within this space.
Any of the following items, as in previous years, will not be permitted: Flashing lights, breakable decorations, spray paint applied in church, banners or large posters, hand-out sticky labels, screens for e.g. PowerPoint. If in doubt, please ask for clarification or permission for ‘new ideas’ before the October meeting.
Volunteers
In order to ensure the continuing success of the festival, we will again require a volunteering commitment from participating charities. At this stage we cannot be sure which of the usual festival activities will be running.
We need each organisation to provide a minimum of 10 hours volunteering across the 8 days of the festival. Since Saturday and Sunday are busier days, but less popular with volunteers, at least one of your sessions must be at the weekend. Volunteering shifts are each of 2 hours duration. There will also be an opportunity to help with the preparation of the church on the Monday as part of your commitment.
Volunteer forms will be sent out with the acceptance letters and will need to be returned as hard copy.
It is understood that by submitting an application, you and your organisation agree to comply with all of these conditions. Please ensure that you – and all your volunteers – are willing and able to adhere to all the commitments.
Collection buckets
Charities are required to provide one bucket per tree to be emptied daily. Please bear this in mind if your volunteers live a significant distance from Fakenham. Charity representatives, whose details must be provided to the Festival Team before the October meeting, will be required to check in and to present photographic identification to the duty supervisor before emptying buckets. We ask that you count the money and let the church team know by the following Friday the total amount collected.
Prayer
We ask each organisation to provide a prayer of no more than 70 words relating to their work. Please would you send this to fakenhamchristmastreefestival@gmail.com or eburbidge@googlemail.com or telephone Elaine on 01328 851848 by the October meeting. If you have any queries or need help, please contact Elaine.
Donations
We need 1000 prizes for the Tombola, and lots of crafts and Xmas gifts for the stall
Pre-festival meeting
All organisations must send at least one representative to the October meeting who will be actively involved with your tree, as full festival details will be given at this meeting.
If you have any queries or questions please email fakenhamchristmastreefestival@gmail .com or leave a message on the dedicated Festival phone 07999 532002 and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively ring Alison on 01328 864685 or Elaine or Roger on 01328 851848.