PRESTATYN'S annual festival of Christmas trees is launching early next month.

The annual festival - which takes place at Christ Church - is going virtual.

It will run from December 5 until Friday, December 11.

Revd David Ash, vicar of Prestatyn, said: "The annual Prestatyn Festival of Christmas Trees is said by many to be their start of Christmas, so after the successful transition online of the Prestatyn Flower Show earlier in the year, the committee felt that there should be a Virtual Christmas Tree Festival. The downside is that the use of Christ Church as a venue, the attendance by school choirs and raising monies for the 'Friends of Christ Church' through the sale of crafts, refreshments and other activities are not possible.

"On the plus side, there are a larger range of categories to encourage participants including businesses and individuals, and we anticipate that the festival will be reached by even more people than usual. "

Voting will be carried out via the new Prestatyn Christmas Tree Festival Facebook page.

There is the optional theme of 'Comfort and Joy'.

Entrants can submit up to three photos or a short video can be made by messenger to the Facebook page or by email to christmas@prestatynchurch.com by 12pm on Friday, December 4.

Categories include:

  • Adult Groups, organisations and Charities,
  • Businesses (not competitive)
  • Childrens' groups and schools, including classes
  • Domestic trees and individual entries.

There is no entry fee and prize certificates shall be awarded in each category.

See further details and a video at Prestatyn Christmas Tree Festival on Facebook.

The entry form is also available on the Facebook page.

Mr Ash added: "2020 has not been the year any of us expected and Christmas will be quite different too, but perhaps through activities like the virtual Prestatyn Christmas Tree Festival, we can share some comfort and joy to one another.

"Some people may well have already gone to town on decorating their trees wanting to brighten up their homes and premises, whereas others will be suffering from the pandemic blues which seems rather prevalent, so here's a chance for one group to lift the spirits of the other."

Those wanting to get into the spirit of the festivities may also want to join in the Prestatyn Community Carol Singalong.

This will run every Wednesday in December over Zoom at 7pm.

Mr Ash said: "It is not a choir or performance, just the opportunity to sing the well known Christmas carols for half an hour each week.

"We held a Harvest Singalong and it was such a joy.

"There is a time lag for some and it doesn't really matter who you can or can't hear, it's about joining in and singing your heart out."

The event is being run by Prestatyn Church in Wales and is supported by other groups.

The zoom link and the telephone numbers are:

https://zoom.us/j/91051440331?pwd=Y01VKzlpUGl0NDlQVXgzK3RSM0lMdz09

Meeting ID: 910 5144 0331 Passcode: 094936

02034815240 91051440331#.....0#..094936#

02039017895 91051440331#.....0#..094936#

Words of carols shall be on screen.

For anyone intending to join by telephone, call 01745 776355 in advance for carol sheets to be delivered locally.