Early Christmas present for Ryhope
The schools may just be going back, but the village is getting in the festive mood after the planting of a new Christmas tree that will form the focus of the community’s annual celebrations from now on.
Residents’ group Ryhope Community Spirit raised more than £1,000 to buy the tree and is now fund-raising for new decorations.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We’ve had a big tree on the village green for the last two years, which has been really popular,” said secretary Chris Hope.
“And we have brought in enough to buy a live tree now.”
Having a permanent tree meant the group could concentrate on fund-raising for other activities, said Chris.
“We will not be trying to raise money every year to buy a tree any more. Now we have got a live tree, all we have to do is decorate it.
“The tree was over £1,000 - we just need to raise a bit more now for decorations.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“There has never been a live Christmas tree on The Green before - we have got permission from the council and our ward councillor Alan Emerson has been fabulous.”
The new tree will form the centrepiece of the village’s Christmas lights switch-on: “Last year we had the switch-on and then a carol concert, this year we are having one big switch-on ceremony on December 1, and our local vicar David Chadwick will be there,” said Chris.
“This is the third year for Ryhope Community Spirit. We originally just wanted a Christmas tree on The Green, but it has snowballed and we’ve also had Easter Egg hunts and a Halloween party.
“We felt Ryhope was drifting apart and we wanted to do something to pull it back together. The response to the Christmas tree has been amazing - the people coming down have just loved it.”