Something different with Cuckfield's 2021's Tree Festival

It is with a great deal of sadness that, after very careful consideration, the Planning Group for the Christmas Tree Festival at Holy Trinity Church has decided to cancel the festival again this year.

The only consuming reason is the current seemingly uncontrollable epidemic. Instead, however, from 9th December throughout the Christmas season, there will be nine trees on display and everyone will be able to visit on any day at any time between 9am and 4pm observing, of course, services that are being conducted as well as social distancing.

Apart from the Vicar’s tree there will be a Prayer Tree provided by the Church and a Memorial Tree provided by P & S Gallagher. The other special trees will be decorated by Next Step Nursery, The Independent State of Cuckfield, Hairsmiths, Gillian Fabb Memorial Fund, Orchard House and Holy Trinity Primary School. The Church very much hopes that the community will understand the difficulty of this decision and in turn take the opportunity to visit the Church and appreciate the contribution that our local tree decorators have made. There is no entry fee this year so it is hoped that visitors will make a modest donation towards the Church Roof Appeal. Visitors will be able to return to see the trees as often as they wish until 6th January. The team remains extremely hopeful that it will be staging the full event again next year when Golden Lion Children’s Trust will be its partner charity.

Cuckfield Christmas Street Festival - Fri 8th December 2017

Cuckfield Christmas Street Festival is a popular event in the village that attracts hundreds of visitors each year who enjoy the true spirit of Christmas, coming together and having fun.

The event on Friday 8th December, starting at 6pm, is organised by Cuckfield Parish Council for the community and coincides with the opening of Holy Trinity’s Christmas Tree Festival. Cuckfield High Street will be closed to traffic for the event and will be managed by marshals, the event finishes at 8pm and the road reopens at 8.30pm.

The High Street is lined with stalls, shops are open and festive music from Mid Downs Radio fills the air. 

There will be street entertainment and carols sung by Cuckfield Baptist Church. Evolution Brass Band kick off proceedings with Christmas cheer followed by the opening address of our newly-elected Mayor, Evelyn Stenning. The craft fair will be located in the Old School next to Holy Trinity Church.

This is also a time for our children to join in and there will be a fancy dress competition. Father Christmas will be there, in his grotto, near the Talbot.

Tree Festival celebrates record year

Organisers of Cuckfield Christmas Tree Festival are celebrating a record breaking year.

This year’s event, held over the second weekend in December, raised well over £10,000 for charity which has been shared between Holy Trinity Church and this year’s partner charity Action for Deafness.

Paul Goldfinch, a member of the planning committee, said: “It was a fantastic festival and we are delighted to have raised more money than ever before. This year we had 77 trees decorated by a wide range of schools, shops, businesses, clubs and societies, including several new sponsors.

“The event was so successful that we ran out of quizzes for the children and mulled wine after the closing concert.  We apologise to those affected and promise to get it right next year !”

The festival is now in its 11th year and has become a popular addition to the village calendar, attracting thousands of visitors. ”Every year we welcome visitors from further afield as word has spread about this special event,” said Paul. “This year they included visitors from East Grinstead, Horsham and one lady from Guildford who had make the trip especially to see the trees.”