WINCHAM is looking forward to a sparkling Christmas after the village’s first Christmas tree was lit up by toddler Elizabeth Barker.

The five-foot Korean fir tree has been planted at the Linnards Lane playing field, and is one of numerous trees planted by villagers.

The fir tree is situated near the play area, and can be seen from the path through the playing field and the road.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Wincham Parish Council vice-chairman Kenton Barker, and switched on the Christmas tree lights following a carol service at Wincham Community Centre organised by the parish council.

The service was led by Pastor Andy Webb from Barnton Pentecostal Church, and featured two choirs from Wincham Community Primary School, one a signing choir.

Children were invited to write a prayer to remember someone, which they hung on a Christmas tree in the centre in exchange for a chocolate from the tree, and Roberts Bakery provided 400 gingerbread men for the refreshments.

“The Christmas tree has white lights, and is charming,” said parish council clerk Naomi Morris.

“The council was delighted by the attendance at the carol service, and the community centre was so full that we ran out of chairs.”

Three October-fruiting cooking apple trees have been planted to frame the seating and flower bed in the proposed war memorial garden.

Near the fence is a crab apple tree, and on the far boundary are two Cheshire damson trees, two cherry trees, a pine tree and a royal oak, grown from the Sandringham Estate and donated to the village as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. In front of these trees are six filbert trees, a variety of hazelnut.

The trees were donated by Jo Sayers of the Mersey Forest Trust as part of the Government’s Big Tree Plant, and the planting was supervised by Alistair Coney of Allium Green Space, Barnton.

“We had a good turnout for the planting, the trees are something the children can watch grow, and are beautiful and good for the environment,” said parish council chairman Annie Makepeace.

Council clerk Naomi Morris said the fruit trees were chosen to reflect the area’s market garden role during the Industrial Revolution and until after the Second World War in supplying fruit for factory workers in Manchester.

The parish council will be responsible for paying for the trees to be watered over the next couple of years.