Lighting the tree

The first ever Christmas tree outside Tilling Green Community Centre was lit up on Sunday December 8 followed by a Christmas party in the hall for local people.

The event was organised by Dan Lake, the chair of Tilling Green Residents Association along with the Rye Partnership. The town crier Paul Goring, opened the event with a special cry and the Ryebellion Drummers led the visitors and organisers outside to the tree. The lights were switched on by Dan and his wife, Donna, before the party began inside with mince pies, mulled wine, hot drinks and some festive carols.

Dan explained how the event came about. “I was contacted by the mayor Andy Stuart asking if we would like a Christmas tree for the Tilling Green Community Centre. I automatically said yes and the next day I spoke with Beverley and Janet of Rye Partnership who both agreed. My wife, Donna Lake, said to me we should make this a special occasion by holding an event where we switch the Christmas tree lights on. We decided to make it a joint event between Tilling Green Residents Association and Rye Partnership and we literally had a week to organise something. We had a few setbacks in that week but we hope everyone enjoyed the event. We would like thank all the volunteers who helped in some way in that week and at the event. Special mentions to my vice-chair and friend, Graham Ellis, who took control in getting the tree erected, Chapmans of Rye for donating the mince pies and especially to the mayor Andy Stuart and his mayoress Niki Stuart for donating the Christmas tree.

As chair of Tilling Green Residents Association I see this as the first step  in the road to get Tilling Green thriving again.”

Beverley Smith of the Rye Partnership is grateful to those who were involved with the event. “It was a very wet Sunday evening but a huge thank you to all those who helped, attended and donated for the Christmas tree lights turn on event at Tilling Green Community Centre. This was the first time ever that we have had a Christmas tree at the community centre and we were very excited to be offered one this year. Please do come along and add your baubles and decorations to the tree”.

Graham Ellis says that this is the first of a year-long series of events planned for Tilling Green. “There are events organised by a consortium of organisations including Tilling Green Residents Association, Rye Partnership, Tilling Green Events, StrongBack Productions, FAIR, Brighton Permaculture, Rye Youth Zone and many others.

“Engagement of Tilling Green residents in community events and activities is now recognised as a major goal for Rye and received tremendous support at the tree lighting celebration from the mayor, the town councillors, the town crier, Rother District councillors and Rye Partnership.

“Special mention needs to be given to Donna Lake who made the suggestion that turned the donation of Christmas tree into a wonderful community building event. Donna was raised on Tilling Green estate and went to school at the community centre and believes this is the first ever Christmas tree for the residents.”

Image Credits: Juliet Duff , Dena Smith Ellis .