A CHRISTMAS tree festival with plenty of mince pies and mulled wine has brought some festive cheer to Radwinter. More than 10 community groups decorated trees which were then displayed in the village s St Mary the Virgin church. Church rector, Revd Gillia

A CHRISTMAS tree festival with plenty of mince pies and mulled wine has brought some festive cheer to Radwinter.

More than 10 community groups decorated trees which were then displayed in the village's St Mary the Virgin church.

Church rector, Revd Gillian Mann, said: "It was a real success and we had lots of people come to have a look around the church which was very well decorated.

"Trees were brought in from lots of different organisations in the village including the bell ringers, the Women's Institute, the historical society and the quilters.

"There were also arts and crafts on sale, as well as refreshments, which have helped to raise a little bit of money for the church."

The festival also included two evenings of music and singing. On Saturday the Hadstock Silver Band played a mix of seasonal music with a packed church joining in with the carols.

And on Sunday the Sampford Singers performed an advent carol service by candlelight. Starting with the church in darkness, the candles were lit one by one to represent the coming of Christ into the world.

The festival was co-organised by the community event group, Music at the Crossroads, and was run in conjunction with the churches at Great and Little Sampford and Hadstock.