Excitement is growing as community groups all over Falmouth are busy creating their handmade decorations for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival, which will again be held at the Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens.

A&P Falmouth, A&P Cluster Team and A&P’s Marine Designs Limited have been confirmed as the lead sponsors of the event and will cover the cost of all of the trees and stands.

Gerald Pitts, managing director group defence, at A&P Falmouth said: “We are absolutely delighted to sponsor this much-anticipated Christmas event. The Princess Pavilion and award-winning Gyllyngdune Gardens will again add a wonderful backdrop and we hope as many people as possible will visit and enjoy the festival.”

Jacqui Owen, community engagement officer for Falmouth Town Council, said: “We are so grateful to A&P for supporting this event. It became a firm favourite in Falmouth’s Christmas calendar over the years with all the fantastic work that was done when it was held at All Saints' Church.

"There continued to be such great support from the community last year, with many people saying that they felt that Christmas had really begun when they came to see the trees. Through the partnership of Falmouth Town Council, Cormac and GLL, this valuable community event was able to be held at Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens and now with A&P’s involvement it means that the event is completely free to take part in, as well as to visit.”

The festival will open on Sunday, December 3, at 5.30pm with St Mary’s School’s national award winning choir performing on the bandstand, ahead of mayor Grenville Chappel, turns on the lights at 6pm. Illumination Brass will then play Christmas carols in the Garden Room for all to sing along to.

The theme for the 28 trees, which will be decorated by community groups, is A Christmas Carol in celebration of Miracle Theatre’s pantomime at Princess Pavilion. The trees will be displayed in the foyer, on the bandstand and under the veranda in the gardens from December 3 to 31. There are still a few trees available to be decorated, so any community groups who would like to take part should contact Jacqui at jowen@falmouthtowncouncil.com.