Christmas tree farm hosts late-night evenings in aid of charities

FAMILIES are being invited to a fortnight of late-night open evenings at a Christmas tree farm in Somerset this winter (2021) including a series of musical entertainment benefitting two West Country charities.

Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm is hosting the late nights from November 29 until December 10, excluding weekends, to help raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) and Reminiscence Learning.

Nick Hendy from Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm, which is based at Middle Hill Farm in Langford Budville, explained: “Coming to pick a Christmas tree in the evening is a magical experience for the family and this year we wanted to make it as special as possible. We will be open every weeknight until 8pm from November 29 until December 10, excluding Saturday, December 4, where we will be open 9am until 6pm and Sunday, December 5, 10am until 4pm. We will also have some Christmassy entertainment for anyone who decides to visit us on December 2, 3, 9 and 10.

“The Reminiscence Learning Choir will entertain our visitors on Thursday, December 2 from 6.30pm. The choir is made up of around 15-20 singers including, clients, carers, staff and volunteers, who will be performing by our outside catering area. They will also have donation pots and be collecting for Reminiscence Learning. Based in Wellington, Somerset, the charity specialises in dementia care, activity, and reminiscence.”

Reminiscence Learning is a Somerset based charity with headquarters in Wellington. It specialises in dementia care, activity and reminiscence. The charity will also have collection tins for anyone who would like to donate.

Zoe Priestley, Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, from Reminiscence Learning said: “Singing is so important to us as it has such a positive impact on people, improving their mental health and wellbeing. We encourage everyone to sing their hearts out and have fun. We strive to be inclusive of everyone and to spread the festive cheer and joy as far as possible.”

On Friday, December 3, The Ukes of Wellington, a group of Somerset ukulele players of all abilities, who meet weekly, will be at Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm playing their ukuleles for visitors from 6.30pm.

Nick continued: “Andy Doran, who has more than 40 years’ experience as a professional musician, has toured with the Westcountry comedian Jethro and performed for His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, will also be joining us on December 9 at 6.30pm, playing his acoustic guitar and singing some well-known festive hits for us.

“The entertainment will then continue with the Wivey Wind Band, which includes a flute, clarinet, saxophone and trombone player, on December 10 at 6.30pm. They will be playing a variety of toe-tapping tunes for everyone.”

Apart from the late-night when the Reminiscence Learning Choir is performing, Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm is hoping to collect as much money as possible on the evenings for CHSW. Last year the Christmas tree farm managed to raise £3,126 for the organisation throughout December, with the help of Irie 7 mobile coffee shop from Taunton.

Nick added: “They were a wonderful addition to our team for the festivities and really helped bring a jolly atmosphere to the proceedings so much so, they are back again this year selling paninis, hot drinks, even a cream tea for two, waffles and mince pies.”

CHSW is currently the only provider of specialist hospice care for children in the region. It offers much needed support for youngsters with a life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Paula Garrett, Area Fundraiser, from Children’s Hospice South West said: “We’d like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to Langford Lakes and its customers, what a lovely idea. At CHSW we also have a wish tree, it’s our remembering tree where the families write messages and hang them on it, the messages are always kept and are very precious. We’d love it if you put a message on the Langford Lakes wishing tree. Memories, wishes, and hopes are so important. Happy Christmas from CHSW.”

Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm, which is well-known for its home grown, freshly cut Christmas trees, is a family run farm located close to the nature reserve Langford Heathfield, a mile outside of Langford Budville in Somerset.

The farm is owned and run by Reg and his wife Ann and their two sons and daughters-in-law, Shaun, Trudy, Nick and Clare. The family has been growing and selling Christmas trees for more than 20 years.

Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm is now open from 9am until 5pm every day excluding Saturdays, when it’s open 9am until 6pm and Sundays, when it’s open 10am until 4pm.

It will also be open every weeknight until 8pm from November 29 until December 10, excluding Saturday, December 4, where it will be open 9am until 6pm and Sunday, December 5, 10am until 4pm.

During some of these late nights, it will have some Christmassy entertainment for anyone who decides to visit. This will include the Reminiscence Learning Choir on December 2, The Ukes of Wellington on December 3, acoustic guitarist and vocalist, Andy Doran on December 9, and the Wivey Wind Band on December 10.

For more information about the farm, please visit www.langfordlakes.co.uk, follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LangfordLakes or log on to www.facebook.com/LangfordLakesChristmasTreeFarm/.