The Christmas Tree Festival, Castleton

St Edmund's Church is dedicated to Saint Edmund, King of East Anglia.  He was martyred after his defeat by the Danes in AD 869.  The church dates back to the 12th century, but there was a building on the site in Norman times. It was also called the Church of Peak Castle. The ruins of the castle, also known as Peveril Castle, are located on the hill opposite the church. 

There were fifty +  decorated Christmas trees.  Here are a few of them.  Some were easier to photograph than others.

St Edmund's Church Flower Team

Castleton Secret Gardens. An event each June
is part of the National Garden Scheme.
 Private gardens are open to visitors in aid of good causes.

Blue John fluorspar - various decorated trees represent

the caverns that can be visited and the

shops in Castleton where the gem stone

 that has been mined is polished

and made into jewellery and other items.

  

Caving and mountaineering groups in the area

Castleton Garland Ceremony and colourful procession through Castleton takes place 29th May. It incorporates traditional May Day customs with the commemoration of Charles II to the English throne also known as Oak Apple Day. The King and his Consort dressed in Stuart period costume ride through the town at the head of the procession.  A huge garland of flowers and greenery (usually made up from those gathered in local gardens) is brought to St. Edmund's Church where it's fixed to a pinnacle on the church tower. 

Castleton Historical Society

art workshop courses/art holiday breaks in the area

A Victorian stained glass window features Faith holding her anchor (a Christian symbol for faith).  Next to her is Hope holding a cross and Charity is holding a baby. 

The Prayer Tree

Castleton, Derbyshire

Yesterday we spent most of the day in and around Castleton, Derbyshire which is an area that we often go to as it's a fairly short distance from where we live.  It was a cold, bright day when we started out, but we took it slowly as we knew that we would find ice and some snow as we drove towards Castleton.

Castleton, Derbyshire

This weekend was the last opportunity to visit St. Edmund's Church

for the Festival of Christmas Trees organised by the Friends of St. Edmund's,

a group dedicated to preserving this old church.

 There were 50 trees, many of them real and these had been given by the National Trust.

Each tree had been decorated by a local organisation and it was obvious from

those that were represented that each one enriches the life of the village

and surrounding area.

St Boniface, an English monk who was sent to Germany as a missionary in the 7th century chose a fir tree to explain the everlasting love of God.  Speaking to the people he indicated a small fir tree and said,

"This little tree, a 'young child' of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of the fir.  It is a sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green.  See how it points upward to heaven.  Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness."

In medieval times in Germany the tree was decorated with apples and referred to as 'The Christmas Tree'.  The tradition spread and when Prince Albert came to be married to Queen Victoria he introduced the Christmas Tree and it has become a popular feature of Christmas ever since.

Here are some of the trees on display that caught my eye.

The Girl Guiding Movement

The local primary school

The Mothers' Union

The Women's Institute

Hope Valley Medical Aid Fund

The Samaritans

The Blue John Mines and artisan workshop

Treak Cliff Cavern

The needlecraft group

The local geological society

Local choir groups

St Edmund's flower arrangement group

The Castleton Historical Society

The theme for this year

'Christmas Cards of WW1'

Box pews with date 1676

The Advent Wreath

stained glass window dedicated to Dorcas
 and St. Edmund 

When we came out of the church the weather had changed to sleety rain so we went into the visitors' centre and museum, a gift shop and then it was time for a welcome hot drink and a teacake in one of family-run restaurants in the village.

   Roast chestnuts and a hot drink anyone?

'An old-fashioned Christmas' display in the Museum

Winnat's Pass

Treak Cliff and Mam Tor (Mother Hill or
 Shivering Mountain)

Treak Cliff Cavern entrance

I walked up Treak Cliff to take a look at the view over
towards Edale before we drove home.

Treak Cliff in September when we visited the caverns with
 our grandson who enjoys hill walking.