PEOPLE – old and young – across the Forest have been getting into the Christmas spirit with carols, a crib festival and a visit from Father Christmas.

Like previous years the Advent star, which can be seen from much of Lydney, has been shining from the tower of St Mary’s Church in the town. On Friday a large flock of people, of all ages, followed the star to the church for the switching on of nearly 40 Christmas trees. 

Each had been decorated by various organisations, including those from the church and places in the town. At the start of the evening all the lights were switched off before there was a countdown and trees were switched on block-by-block, throughout the building. 

Led by musicians from the Forest of Dean Band, the congregation sang popular seasonal carols, and a combined choir from the three primary schools in the town sang two special carols. After the proceedings, most of those present stayed to enjoy refreshments and looked around the decorated trees. 

Other seasonal services in St Mary’s include the carol service at 6pm on Sunday, December 18, the crib service at 3pm on Christmas Eve and the midnight communion starting at 11.15pm on Christmas Eve. The trees will be dismantled after the regular Sunday morning service, which starts at 10am on New Year’s Day.

Meanwhile, at All Saint’s Church in Newland, members held their first two-day crib festival where children from local schools made some of the 18 crib displays. Other displays were created by local church and vil­age groups.  

Parochial church council secretary, Alison Stuttard said: “We had a variety of craft stalls over the two days selling homemade crafts, paintings and fair trade produce.  

“Children from St John’s Academy and Redbrook Primary School helped tell the Christmas story by singing some carols during the service, which was led by Rev Sarah Bick, Vicar of the Mid-Wyedean Churches. 

“All in all a lovely weekend which raised £500 for the Mid-Wyedean Parish.  A percentage of all monies raised was then donated to our chosen charity of the Coalway Kid’s Club to help them develop their outdoor space.

“We intend to repeat the Crib Festival next year. It was a successful weekend.”

Members of the Bishopswood Village Hall hosted a Christmas tree festival and Christmas market in which Santa visited.