In response to the second lockdown, Test Valley Borough Council has had to adapt plans for the Andover Christmas Tree Festival. Originally planned for 29 November as an outdoor event with lights and a soundscape, the event will now go virtual on the weekend of the 12 and 13 December.
More than 70 Christmas wooden Christmas tree shapes have been distributed among nearly 20 local schools and nurseries in and around Andover for decoration and display until the end of term for their pupils to enjoy. Participating schools include: Abbots Ann CE Primary School, Andover CE Primary School, Anton Junior School, Appleshaw St Peter’s CE Primary School and Endeavour School.
The schools will take film and photographs of the decorative process and the finished results, and these will be collated into an online gallery and video montage which will be available to view on the Christmas Tree Festival event on the Test Valley Borough Council Facebook page on 12 and 13 December.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said:
Local schools have risen magnificently to the challenge of creating their own bespoke decorated trees, and I am looking forward to them sharing their endeavours with us online. It is an excellent way of linking the schools to the wider community and sharing in some festive fun.
The Christmas Tree festival is part of a package of festive events designed and provided by Test Valley Borough Council in conjunction with Andover Vision, and will coincide with the Christmas Food and Gift Fair in the High Street on Sunday, 13 December from 11am – 6pm. The High Street will be full of independent food, craft and gift providers as well as hot food and drink choices and live music. Alongside the market there are family craft workshops in the Upper Guildhall, and a children’s Christmas tag trail with prizes sponsored by Waitrose.
More information about all of these events can be found at: www.testvalley.gov.uk/ChristmasEvents
