Congleton’s Tree of Light is to become a permanent part of the Town’s Christmas.
Last year, Rotary-Congleton, assisted by the Town Council launched the idea of a Tree of Light.
The idea took off and many people bought stars and left personal messages in remembrance of those who have moved to higher service, loved ones apart at Christmas and families and friends everywhere. This year it is anticipated that those needs will be greater as more people than ever will be unable to be together at Christmastime.
The Congleton Tree of Light is now to become permanent as a unique and special way to think of and to remember all our loved ones at Christmas.
For 2020, the tree is now a living Christmas Tree to be planted in the Lawton Street Community Garden behind the Cenotaph. In December each year the tree will come alive when it is illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights and surrounded by Stars.
The special, weather-proof stars, priced £5 each, may be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall, Allens Newsagents/Wow Portraits in Bridge Street, Congleton funeral firms, Alan Finneron, Garsides, Larvin and Clegg, Three Shires and Co-op Congleton. Stars may also be ordered online to Rotary’s “Just Giving” page via their website to make a minimum £5 donation and leave a message: www.congletonrotary.co.uk
Once a star has been purchased, a simple message can be written to the person or persons that you want to think of at Christmas. Stars can be bought at any time until early December.
At the same time, purchasers are asked to leave their names and the names of those who they want to think of.
To ensure Covid-19 rules are observed, Rotary-Congleton will supply each outlet with two attractive star boxes, one with stars for the public to pick up to write their message on and the other as a post box for the purchased stars. Payment will be made to the outlet.
Alternatively, stars can be retained and hung in person by appointment on specific days and times under supervision.
During normal times Rotary-Congleton raises many thousands of pounds which it uses to support good causes in Congleton and the surrounding area. This year it has been forced to cancel most of its money-raising ventures as a result of the lockdown. As a result the Town Council has generously provided Rotary with a grant of £500 to assist with the purchase of the tree. Similar support has also been received from the William Dean Trust to assist with the purchase of the tree. Money raised from the sale of stars will nevertheless be spent to benefit Rotary good causes locally.
