Tuesday 23rd December 2025 – Tree Festival, Boxing Day Swim, Resuming in 2026

I spent a few hours, on Friday afternoon, as a volunteer at the Christmas Tree Festival in St Martins Church.  I had originally planned to take photos of each individual tree, to include in my blog.  However, there were so many different trees, I decided to just photo those exhibited by clubs – The Sports Club, The Strand Club and Overstrand Gardening Club (apologies if I’ve missed anyone).  As well as the trees, handicrafts were available plus refreshments.  During the course of the afternoon, I enjoyed a particularly nice slice of cake baked by a villager (after Christmas I’ll be asking them for the recipe!), along with a mug of tea.  Later, in the evening, there was a concert, organised by Keith Hobday (formerly of The Belfry Centre for Music & Arts).  All the trees will be taken down on Saturday 27^th, after which the church will return to normal. 

Overstrand Gardening Club

The Boxing Day Swim, here in Overstrand, has become something of a tradition but sadly, this year, I’ve heard, it won’t be taking place.  After making a few enquiries, it seems the reason is, there are too many ‘hoops’ to go through to ensure this is as safe as this kind of event can be.  There are going to be a few disappointed people who were looking forward to either taking the plunge into the North Sea, or spectating on the beach, from the promenade, zigzag path and the cliff top.  If it’s any consolation, it would have been difficult, with a high tide at approximately ten thirty, for this to have taken place at the usual times of between ten thirty and eleven thirty. 

Overstrand Sports Club

The Strand Club

 I will be taking a break from blogging over the Christmas period, resuming in the New Year.   All that’s left is, for me, Peter and Sid to wish you all:

A Happy Christmas and a Healthy 2026