Adding sparkle to Christmas 2021
For many, last Christmas was unimaginably distant from the festivities we once knew.
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, as a nation we were prohibited from seeing our family members, hugging, attending Christmas parties, and even board games were off the table.
Which is why we’re delighted that, all being well, this year’s festivities are able to go ahead with a little more normality – including the magical Beverley Minster Christmas Tree Festival, which unfortunately was one of the events that had to be cancelled last year.
As a building society, participating in things that bring fun and festive spirit to our community is very important to us, and we’re delighted to have been able to support the Festival again this year.
This year, we’ve teamed up with Leven Church of England Primary School to decorate a gorgeous tree for the event, which starts today (Saturday).
The theme of the tree was chosen by the school, and is in line with their new school vision and values, ‘Together we shine as one’. As well as inspiring the pupils of Leven Primary, this very timely theme also represents the new beginning of our, hopefully post-COVID, world, and start of what we all hope will be more positive things to come.
To do this, every child in the school has made a star to add to the tree (133 altogether), using materials we donated. On December 2, the children from the school council joined us at the Minster to decorate the tree and bring their vision to life.
Fay Cairns, Headteacher of Leven Church of England Primary School, explained what the children thought of their visit to the Minster:
“The children on the school council absolutely loved their day in Beverley. It was so nice to get every child from all different ages across the school involved in putting the decorations together, which is what our vision is all about.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to represent our school’s new values and be part of a great community project. It’s definitely put everyone in the Christmas spirit and all of the children are very much looking forward to visiting the Minster to see their tree and the many other beautifully-decorated ones at the festival.”
To thank the children for their efforts, the Society has also donated £200 to the school, to buy new books for their library.
“I would also like to say a huge thank you to Beverley Building Society for their generous donation,” added Mrs Cairns.
The Society’s Tracy Fletcher – pictured with the children above – said of the Christmas tree collaboration:
“Being part of our community means the world to us as a local, independent building society. It’s been really fantastic to collaborate with Leven Church of England Primary School in this way. I can speak for the whole team when I say that we are really touched by the beautiful tree that the kids have created, as well as the wonderful theme around it.”
Beverley Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival is running until Sunday 12 December. You can find out further information about the festival here.