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    11

    Dec 2020

    Last Updated: 18/12/2020
    Community
    Community

    Knaresborough lures shoppers with Xmas tree trail

    by Suzannah Rogerson

    | 11 Dec, 2020
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    To make sure Knaresborough doesn't miss out on the Christmas season town groups have come together to find a way to hold events safely. A map of all of the towns trees has been made, the tree festival has diversified and local school children are decorating windows.

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    Knaresborough is getting into the festive spirit despite restrictions this year, with groups joining forces to put events on safely.

    Each year the town hosts a number of festive events to draw in thousands of visitors, but this year it has had to adapt.

    Representatives from St John the Baptist Church, Knaresborough Rotary, Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Knaresborough Town Council have put their heads together and come up with a plan.

    To ensure all the town's Christmas trees and decorations can be admired, a map has been designed to direct people to the 20 different trees around the trail.



    The church's annual Christmas tree festival is always a hit with visitors and tickets are selling fast for this year too. The group has limited the festival to only 40 trees to allow for social distancing, where previous years have seen up to 100 trees on display.

    Visitors have to book online here prior to visiting. The festival will run from tomorrow, Saturday, December 12 to Wednesday, January 6, except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

    Reverend Garry Hinchcliffe, the rector at St John the Baptist, said:

    "It's become a real go-to event and we didn't want people to miss out. After such a miserable year for so many, we wanted to show the light and hope of Christmas time."





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    The organisers have also got local schoolchildren involved by asking them to decorate Christmas stars to display in the windows.

    Bill Taylor, treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

    "We wanted to make sure we still offered something to the town, in line with restrictions. We hope this will encourage people to come and give a boost to the town."


    Contactless stickers have also been placed throughout the town so people can make donations safely. The money will go towards the church and Cancer Research UK.