Angels

Fifty Christmas trees

Some ideas don't need explaining. I'd love to have been at the PCC meeting when Fifty Christmas Trees in a Church was first pitched.

We stumbled on Dickleburgh's Christmas Tree Festival quite by accident while on a tour of Norfolk. It became the highlight of the day. That the theme of the 2006 festival is Angels made it doubly attractive.

Amongst a display of angels besides the choir stalls small cards provided a Biblical thought and an opportunity to request prayer. On the hour the priest on duty led those present in the Lord's Prayer. Subtle, meaningful, assured.

Visitors to the church (admission £3.50; an extra pound for the view from the balcony - this clearly raises more than a traditional Christmas Fair) get to vote on their favourite tree. The creator of the winning tree receives £1,000 at the end of the week.

Though I loved the local Conservative Party tree with photographs of local councillors for decorations it couldn't beat Buffys Brewery's tree's audacious promotion of alcohol right next to trees from the local primary schools.

You must go. But hurry: the festival ends on Sunday.