Lichfield Christmas Tree Festival

 On 1st December we went to Lichfield to visit the Cathedral where they were holding their Christmas Tree Festival.  I took quite a few photographs.  It was a cold Thursday morning and there weren't many people inside so we were able to take time to look at all the different trees.  They had been decorated by local schools, charities and businesses all very different but all equally pleasing.

 Beautiful Advent Candles

 The Cathedral is so beautiful inside. Sorry just a few words today as I'm not feeling too well at the moment.   I hope you enjoy the photos.

 

All for now. Take care.

Lichfield

 As it is Friday here are five from the small city of Lichfield in Staffordshire. I always enjoy visiting and it's just over thirty miles away, via Stone and Rugely so not too far to travel.

1.  The Cathedral

 The distinctive three spires can be spotted across the fields as you approach the city. Lights were being put on the outside tree ready for the evening illuminations.

It is the only medieval three spired cathedral in the UK and is the burial place of Anglo Saxon Missionary St Chad. 

St Chad

St Chad's Gospels are on display in the beautiful Chapter House.  I did take some photos of the interior which I may use for a separte post.

2.  Shopping

There were some lovely festive shop windows  full of beautiful things.

3.  Historical Connections

The city's most famous residents were Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784) and Erasmus Darwin (1731 - 1802).  Also the actor David Garrick (1717 -1779) whose mother was the daughter of a vicar at the Cathedral. Both DrJohnson and Dr Darwin have their own museum.  The theatre is named after David Garrick.  

 Dr Johnson's birthplace Museum and Bookshop.

Dr Johnson's statue in the Market Square.  There is a statue of his friend and biographer James Boswell at the other end of the the square.

 Erasmus Darwin's house museum and his medicinal herb garden.

4.  The Minster Pool

We sat on the opposite side of the pool to eat sandwiches closely watched by black headed gulls and Canada geese.

  When we first arrived we had coffee and a mince pie in Birds.  Luckily it was quiet and not all the tables were full.  Shopping done we returned everything to the car and went up to the Cathedral to see the Christmas Trees.

5. The Christmas Tree Festival

 The Cathedral was full of music as rehearsals for a concert were taking place

We heard the same piece of music time after time. So now I can't get it out of my head.

The trees were very pretty and thoughtfully decorated by all the participants.

Tokens were being sold so you could award them to your favourite trees.  It was hard to choose but in the end our two favourites were by the Staffordshire Gardens and Parks Trust and the National Memorial Arboretum.

All for now.  Take care.

 

A Festival of Trees

Recently, whilst on the travels I mentioned in my last post, we dropped into Bakewell in Derbyshire where there was a wonderful Christmas Tree Festival in All Saints church.

Luckily it was a bright and sunny morning as we walked up to the church. 

Inside it was warm and welcoming even the church cat was waiting at the door.  It was of course trying to get inside where there were lots of trees to climb.

My camera took lovely photos out in the open but some of my interior shots were dismal.  There were also lots of people inside but I manged to get a few photos and below are some of my favourites.

The tree above was by the bell ringers of All Saints commemorating all the bell ringers lost during the first world war.

 Decorated by Hassop Church Choir

 Christian Aid working to help restore dignity out of poverty.

 Bakewell Visitor Centre

 The Prayer Tree

 Above and below......

... by A J Welldressers

 Above and below Bakewell U3A Craft Group

 Bakewell Alms Houses and Bakewell Town Guild

 Methodist Junior School

 I loved this one, all the details with sugar mice, goose eggs and robins in watering cans by The Georgian Sweet Shop

 Above and below a selection of tree to be found in the sanctuary.

Tiroler Stuberl is an Austrian coffee shop in the town.

The Peak Advertiser and Wee Dram

 Bird Song

 Above the Family History Group, Brides of Bakewell and Bakewell in Bloom.

Just down the road from Bakewell is Haddon Hall where we spent a couple of hours  in the land of fairy tales.  

 I'll take you there in my next post.