BERRY HILL got into the Christmas spirit on Thursday (December 8) with an impromptu Christmas lights switch-on, complete with a carol service and music from the village’s band.

The plan was hatched late in the day, according to Cllr Tim Gwilliam (Lab, Berry Hill) who said: “I had the great pleasure of being interviewed very early in the morning by Radio Glou­cestershire recently. The location was the Globe Inn car park in the centre of Berry Hill and the subject was the proposed Dennis Potter tourist trail.

“While I was there it struck me that this really is the centre of Berry Hill and, talking off air to the reporter, we agreed we needed to publicise and celebrate such a wonderful place more. It’s a fantastic community with real spirit.

“In the days that followed, this community arranged an event that has never been done before in the area.

“Rev Tony Williams gave a blessing, we switched on the first ever Berry Hill tree, complete with lights and we sang carols accompanied by the band. It was heartwarming and says a lot about the real people of the Forest of Dean.”