On Friday 28 November, Rye Chamber of Commerce held its Christmas social at St Mary’s church, inviting everyone to enter into the festive spirit. The building glowed with a forest of Christmas trees, each one a small miracle of creativity and community spirit.
The church that has weathered storms, wars and tides of pilgrims, is now filled with a different kind of tide – a warm, human one working together with one common goal. It is wonderful to see over 50 trees created with care and pride assembled around the church and bringing everyone together sharing the love of their hometown.
What makes the Christmas Tree Festival special is not simply the sparkle of the lights but the way it draws the community together. We need to remind ourselves that even in the darkest months, light glows brighter when it is shared.
The festival is in its second year and was the brainchild of Vivienne Pattison, wife of the rector, and Hilary Morfitt, a member of the choir.
Hilary writes, “I am so delighted to see 50 trees twinkling away in our parish church. I have watched the assembling and decorating of so many of these trees with wonder over the last weekend. I am beyond impressed by the imagination and talent of all the businesses, organisations and individuals in our town who have created something truly magical. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has decorated a tree and would urge anyone reading this to come to St Mary’s over the next month and see the magic for yourself.”
Vivienne Pattison echoed these sentiments, saying, “This is only our second Christmas Tree festival and we’re delighted that so many of Rye’s businesses, organisations and societies have got involved. We have nearly twice as many trees as last year and I’m blown away by the creativity on display. I hope that visitors will get a sense of the breadth and vibrancy of our community and will leave with a warm Christmassy glow. Huge thanks to our sponsor, the Rye Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who has worked to make this so successful. I’m hoping for even more trees next year…”
This video gives you a taste of the magic. Not all the trees were up and decorated when the video was made.
At 7pm the assembled throng sat in the pews and waited eagerly for the mayor to announce the winners of the Christmas window competition. In third place was Rye Chocolates; second was Paws ‘n’ Claws, and the winner was the stunning Sunflower Charity Shop run by Clair Debley-Turner and Maria Mewburn.
The two commented on their win, “The team at the Sunflower Charity Shop was absolutely thrilled to have won the Rye Christmas window competition! Clair and I enjoyed a lovely, festive evening at the presentation and the Rye Chamber of Commerce social event. We’re over the moon to be spreading festive cheer to everyone who lives in and visits beautiful Rye.
“We’re also incredibly excited to start working with Keith at Story and Brand to help promote our shop and our charity, the Romney Marsh Community Hub. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time for us — and it means the world to our charity.
“A HUGE thank-you to everyone for your amazing support!”
Their prize is to have professional company Story and Brand work with them in 2026 to showcase their shop and help them promote their work more widely.
Keith from Story and Brand said, “We produce compelling documentary visual content that genuinely works and tells genuine compelling stories. This is why we are excited about helping out the winner of this year’s Christmas window competition.“
The evening ended with community singing with Sally and Michelle.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .