Tree-mendous competition finalised for Swaffham

Plans have been finalised for a market town’s Christmas tree competition for families to take part in this month.

Swaffham Town Council has announced five categories for the Covid-secure ‘virtual’ event in which residents send in pictures of their designs for judging.

The categories are: Best Traditional Tree, Best Rainbow Tree in recognition of key workers, Best ‘Made in Swaffham’ Tree, Best Patriotic Tree and Best Glamorous Tree.

The ‘Made in Swaffham’ category has been thought up to encourage participants to support local businesses during the challenging coronavirus pandemic period with everything on the tree having to be handmade or sourced in the town.

And the patriotic category means decorations should be a red, white or blue theme, or all three colours together.

Residents should send in pictures to the town council by emailing admin@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk including their name, phone number and email address.

The closing date for entries is Twelfth Night, which is Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

The prize winners will be announced later in January and the best trees will be shared on the council’s Facebook page.

Town councillor Lindsay Beech presented the initial plans to last month’s full council meeting following the success of the Swaffham Garden Competition during the first national lockdown.

She also presented plans for a similar scarecrow competition in February but the details of that have not been finalised at this stage.

Regarding the Christmas tree competition this month, Swaffham Town Council’s events and projects support officer Sue Dent said: “It doesn’t matter if your tree is real or fake, big or small, it’s your creativity that counts.”