Christmas spirit flows for festive season in Stevenage and North Herts

The Christmas tree on display at St Mary's Church in Hitchin with members of the choir gearing up for the crib services on Saturday and Sunday. Picture: Picture: Anne Senechal. (Image: Archant)

We’ve pulled together a round-up of some of them to show the amazing community spirit that burns bright amongst our readers and supporters at this time of year.

Staff, residents and supporters at Garden City Court care home in Letchworth have been keeping busy making their own Christmas tree out of knitted pom poms. The tree consists of 1,200 pom poms and wool was provided by local shop Wool-n-Things in Baldock.

Pupils at The Leys Primary & Nursery School in Stevenage were able to meet a busy Santa in his grotto. He was helped out by The Friends of the Leys PTA who helped wrap presents for every pupils to give Santa a hand.

Staff at Letchworth Motor Auctions have organised a Christmas fundraising project in aid of The Living Room in Stevenage. Employees enjoyed decorating sparkly stars to be placed on the giant Christmas tree in the auction room. They then asked customers, suppliers and local businesses to sponsor a star.

The mayor of Stevenage's toy appeal sees staff from Stevenage firms collect gifts for less privileged children in the town. Picture: Stevenage Borough Council. (Image: Archant)

In exchange for a donation to The Living Room, their company logo was placed in the centre of the star to hang on the tree, which was also publicised on social media. Letchworth Motor Auctions have raised £200 so far for The Living Room, but there are still some stars left. To sponsor a star, call 01462 480499.

A Christmas Market is in Stevenage town centre until December 31 and those wanting to see Santa can visit the Indoor Market until Christmas Eve.

Stevenage Museum will be hosting some fun, free activities on Saturday from 2pm to 3pm with families able to decorate oranges and make paper garlands. 650 gifts have been donated to the mayor of Stevenage’s Christmas toy appeal.

The appeal is supported by staff at GlaxoSmithKline and the Bioscience Catalyst who collect gifts to help families in Stevenage with children who may be facing difficult times.

Children were able to enjoy the Christmas Market and a series of fun activities including an ice rink in Stevenage town centre. Picture: Stevenage Borough Council. (Image: Archant)

Due to incredible numbers attending, St Mary’s Church in Hitchin is holding two crib services this year – one on Saturday and one on Christmas Eve. The main church choir will sing on the Saturday and the junior choir on Christmas Eve. Both services will be at 4pm.

Community group Give Back to Stevenage held its Christmas Homeless Appeal at Seven Cafe Bar Lounge in the Old Town’s Middle Row.

The group had asked for donations for Stevenage Haven, a charity which operates two homeless hostels, The Haven in Stevenage and North Herts Sanctuary in Hitchin, and gifts for Letchworth’s Garden House Hospice patients.

Residents and staff enjoy the completed tree that they worked together to create. Picture: Cassie Larham-Ball (Image: Archant)

Staff at the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth were delighted with the gifts donated for their patients. Picture: Sam Wood. (Image: Archant)

Letchworth Motor Auctions ask customers, businesses and suppliers to 'sponsor a star' for The Living Room. Picture: Letchworth Motor Auctions (Image: Archant)