ONCE again the rector and members of St Thomas's Church, Salisbury, are preparing to welcome members of the local community and beyond to the Christmas Tree Festival which runs from December 4 to 9. This will be the 14th year we have held the festival, which brings together creative and musical skills from a wide area in and around Salisbury to celebrate what Christmas means to them.

The many visitors to the festival come to wonder at the thoughtful ingenuity that is put into the exhibits, listen to the joyful music and enjoy delicious home made soups and cakes.

Entries are coming in quickly now and can be received up to November 2 via the St Thomas's Church website.

If you have not entered a tree or nativity scene before why not do so this year. It is a happy event and we hope very much it will be part of the healing of Salisbury after a difficult year. Do come and join in with us.

John Cox and Diane Emsley

Festival organisers, Salisbury