Christmas tree brings festive cheer to Felpham

At least 100 people filled every available space last Saturday (December 10) for what is becoming an annual tradition of the lighting of the festive symbol.

The 20ft high tree was bought by the Felpham Village Conservation Society and installed at the electricity supply which the society also arranged outside the Grassmere Place shops.

Nick Gibb, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, pressed the switch against a darkening clear blue sky to set the tree ablaze with white and blue lights. The rector of St Mary’s Church, Fr Timothy Peskett, blessed the tree before pupils from Bishop Tufnell Junior School – under their director of music Pauline McCarthy – sang a selection of traditional carols like angels. The happy occasion was completed by Father Christmas.