Castle Quarter in Norwich is all ready for the festive season, and this year they have introduced a new tree trail, involving five local schools and five local charities. Here, those involved explain more
A Christmas trail featuring 10 joyful trees, each one individually decorated by pupils and staff from local charities, schools and community groups, has gone on display inside Castle Quarter in the heart of Norwich. The centre’s Community Christmas Tree Showcase brings the spirit of the festive season to Norwich, as well as giving visitors the opportunity to win £250 to spend at their favourite Castle Quarter store, dining or leisure venue.
The five charities taking part are East Anglian’s Children’s Hospice, Headway Norfolk and Waveney, Priscilla Bacon Hospice, the BUILD charity and The Hamlet. Teachers, pupils and nursery children have also been getting creative, with Angel Road, Lakenham Primary, The Clare School, West Earlham Infants School and Little Squirrels Play Forest, a nursery based at Castle Quarter, each decorating a tree too.
Megan Kemp from the charity EACH says: ‘This festive initiative at Castle Quarter not only brightens the season but also helps raise awareness and vital funds for the children and families we support. We’re grateful to be part of a magical celebration, which brings our community together in such a meaningful way.’
The Clare School, a specialist physical and sensory complex needs school, has involved all pupils, by personalising the baubles and decorations with the beautiful faces of all the children from their school, in celebration of each one of them. Rebecca Wicks, headteacher adds: ‘All the pupils have worked so hard to make their personalised decorations and our Sixth Form class are really looking forward to being able to decorate the tree. Lots of classes are planning to pop into Castle Quarter to see not only our tree, but the others that are currently being decorated. To be asked to take part is really special and it has made us all feel very festive and very included.’
Charlotte works at Little Squirrels Nursery, based inside Castle Quarter, and says they’ve had lots of festive fun in their early years setting: ‘Our little squirrels have loved getting involved, creating their own unique decorations. The children are so excited to spot their creations on the finished tree and taking part has sparked lots of lovely conversations about different celebrations and our families.’
Another charity taking part is The Hamlet, and their marketing and development manager Jenny Kane added: ‘We’re thrilled to be part of Castle Quarter’s Christmas Tree Trail this year. Decorating our tree with fidget toys allows us to showcase our mission of supporting children and adults with disabilities. These sensory decorations not only add a unique touch, but also highlight the calming benefits of sensory interaction for many of our service users.’
Gemma Hyde, marketing and administration manager at Castle Quarter says the trail aims to bring everyone together at Christmas time, encourage kindness and hopefully raise donations for local charities. ‘Our community-based tree decorators have taken lots of time and care to really personalise their tree, meaning each one is really special and unique. We hope our visitors enjoy spotting all ten, making their visit to Castle Quarter a little more magical this festive season. And if seeing the trees makes you smile, please think about donating to support the charities, if you can.’
The Castle Quarter Christmas Tree Trail is on until Christmas Eve. To take part and be in with a chance of winning £250 to spend in the centre, simply pick up a free trail map from the base of the spiral staircase on the ground floor, complete the map and return it to the festive post box. Maps can also be downloaded from castlequarternorwich.co.uk.
Featured image of children from Little Squirrels at the Castle Quarter Christmas Tree Trail – all images supplied by Plain Speaking PR
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