THE annual Christmas tree festival weekend in St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, kicked off the town’s festive season in style.

A record 53 decorated trees were on display from Friday (November 29) through to Sunday and saw more than £4,300 raised for the 15th century church.

It was the 15th year of the festival, which started in 2008 but missed one year because of the Covid pandemic, and attracted hundreds of visitors.

Jack and Jesse Lowe on the children's tombola stall at St Decuman's Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Watchet Court Leet's entry 'The Snowman' in St Decuman's Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.A row of Christmas trees helps to light up the aisles in St Decuman’s Church, Watchet. PHOTO: George Ody.Entries adorn St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, for its Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Visitors to St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, view the Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Illuminating St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, with its Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Three of the Christmas trees in St Decuman's Church, Watchet, (from left) by Watchet Rangers, Williton Beavers, and Williton Squirrels. PHOTO: George Ody.The Watchet Rainbows entry 'Muppets and Friends Christmas Movie' in the St Decuman’s Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Watchet Girl Guides 'Polar Express' in the foreground of a row of entries in the St Decuman’s Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.More entries for the St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.Watchet Town Centre Group promoted its 'Shop Local' message with an entry in St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Jack and Jesse Lowe on the children's tombola stall at St Decuman's Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Watchet Court Leet's entry 'The Snowman' in St Decuman's Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

A row of Christmas trees helps to light up the aisles in St Decuman’s Church, Watchet. PHOTO: George Ody.

Entries adorn St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, for its Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Visitors to St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, view the Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Illuminating St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, with its Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Three of the Christmas trees in St Decuman's Church, Watchet, (from left) by Watchet Rangers, Williton Beavers, and Williton Squirrels. PHOTO: George Ody.

The Watchet Rainbows entry 'Muppets and Friends Christmas Movie' in the St Decuman’s Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Watchet Girl Guides 'Polar Express' in the foreground of a row of entries in the St Decuman’s Church Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

More entries for the St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

Watchet Town Centre Group promoted its 'Shop Local' message with an entry in St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, Christmas tree festival. PHOTO: George Ody.

The theme for this year’s trees was Christmas films, plays, and musicals and their interpretations.

Among the organisations which provided decorated trees was the town’s museum, Knights Templar Nursery, four Watchet Guiding units, three Scout groups from Watchet and four from Williton, the Phoenix Centre, carnival committee, Watchet Football Club under-eights, Danesfield School, Knights Templar School, the town’s mothers’ club, Elliot’s Touch charity, Butterfly Book Awards, and the Royal British Legion women’s section, some of them for the first time.

Watchet Rainbows also provided bacon baps and hot soup outside for visitors to raise funds for the group.

The trees will remain in the church throughout Advent and Christmas, and will be lit for all the services being held during that time.

The festival was followed by a Christingle service among the trees on the Sunday.