A FESTIVAL which has become a popular fixture on the calendar in Lymm has been cancelled for this year – but organisers have moved it online.

The current coronavirus restrictions mean this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church was called off.

Undeterred the church has set up a virtual Christmas Tree Festival on Facebook.

Individuals, organisations and schools can post photos of their trees and Christmas decorations at their home, in places of work at St Mary’s Church Lymm Community Christmas Tree Festival Facebook site.

The site has photos of last year’s trees, but people are encouraged to add their own photos to share love and fun of Christmas in the Lymm community.

St Mary’s Community Christmas Tree Festival will be back better than ever from December 3 to 5, 2021.

Reverend Beverley Jameson, Rector of St Mary’s Lymm, said “ Covid may have prevented the Christmas Tree Festival taking place in church but it has not stopped Christmas.

“I hope people will send in lots of photos to St Mary’s Church Lymm Community Christmas Tree Festival Facebook site.

“This will be a wonderful community effort to keep the Christmas cheer going in this gloomy time.

“I look forward to seeing everyone at our Community Christmas Tree Festival from December 3 to 5, 2021”

Two of the other most popular events in Lymm have also been cancelled.

Lymm Dickensian Day, which was due to take place on December 12, has also been called off for this year.

Steve Harper, chairman of the committee, said: “We appreciate the disappointment for all those who were expecting to take part in the parade and the thousands who flock to the village for the day, and also to all the people and organisations who have supported us by booking stalls.

“However, we feel that it is the correct decision as we have to put the health and wellbeing of all who would have taken part as our priority in these unprecedented times.”

Meanwhile Carols Round the Cross, which normally takes place on Christmas Eve, has also been cancelled.

The event normally attracts thousands of people to the centre of Lymm.

But it will now go online with Lymm Radio hosting the carols, encouraging people to sing at home.

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