A MONTH-long Christmas Tree Festival at St Paul's Parish Church, Grange, got underway with an evening reception attended by 240 people welcomed by churchwarden Christine Harrison.
The gathering was addressed by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron who asked how Christmas made people feel. He referred to the prophet Micah's prediction - 700 hundred years before Jesus was born - that someone will come from Bethlehem to rule the nation, and suggested this festive season is a time for expectation, excitement and hope.
Compere Robin Webster introduced the Community Bay Singers, Grange C of E Primary School choir singing numbers from the hit musical ‘Frozen’, and musicians under the direction of Judith Pool.
Thirty-six Christmas trees have been decorated by different organisations in the town on the theme of 'Peace and Goodwill.' The church is open daily from 10am to 4pm until January 1.
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