Penarth Christmas Treet Festival returns to St Augustine's this weekend! (From Penarth Times)

Penarth Christmas Treet Festival returns to St Augustine's this weekend!

4:20pm Wednesday 8th December 2010 in News

THE 2010 Penarth Christmas Tree Festival returns to St Augustine’s Church next weekend.

The annual event will run from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, December 11, and from 12 noon to 6pm on Sunday, December 12.

But first, on the Saturday starting at 10am, there will be breakfast with Santa Claus in the parish hall on Albert Road.

All children accompanied by an adult or two will be made very welcome and Santa will note down their wishes for Christmas Day - and offer them a token present in advance.

Then, a short walk for children and their families up through Belle Vue Park, led by Santa and a piper, will bring them to the church door where the Town Mayor will cut the tape at 11am to mark the opening of this magical festival held in the side aisles of the church.

Entry tickets will be £2.50 for adults, £2 for concessions, with accompanied children free, with the proceeds as usual going to charities - this time 10 of them to mark the 10 years since these festivals started.

More than 40 decorated and lit trees, prepared by local organisations, schools, and businesses, will be ready for everyone to admire - and for determining the people’s favourite by voting.

An independent judge from outside the area will also adjudicate on the different categories of entry for the competition.

While the crowds walk around the side aisles, there will be live music on both days performed by different local groups, including the talented Albert Primary School Steel Band, and the famous Cavatina Singers.

The children will begin the music on the Saturday with a short sing-along, straight after the opening.

Back in the parish hall, there will be a running buffet all day on both days (Sunday starting at noon, closing at 6pm both days), serving hot and cold drinks, filled rolls, and homemade mince pies. There will also be a stall selling homemade produce.

Last year, well over 2,000 people came to see the trees and it is hoped that number will be repeated – and indeed exceeded - with a slightly longer opening time on Sunday afternoon.