Chestnut Homes makes festive donation to support Market Rasen Christmas Tradition

Chestnut Homes has been helping the people of Market Rasen get into the Christmas spirit with a donation to support the town’s annual tree installation.

We donated £960 to local not for profit, The Market Rasen Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, to help buy the 32-foot tree which each year forms a key part of the town’s festive display.

The iconic tree, which was chosen by the head forester at the family-owned Doddington Hall and Gardens in Lincolnshire, is adorned with three long strings of mixed-coloured LED lights and sits in the centre of the town at Market Place.

The Market Rasen Christmas tree tradition dates back to 1950, when a group of community-spirited local businessmen, tradesmen and academics proposed to donate and install an illuminated tree in the town. Today, the event is managed by The Market Rasen Children’s Christmas Tree Fund committee, an independent organisation established to manage donations from locals and businesses for various festive events in the town.

Helene Key, sales manager at Chestnut Homes, said: “We’re always really passionate about supporting all the communities we build in, but this festive campaign was a particularly special one for us as it allowed us to join Market Rasen in honouring an age-old tradition too. Market Rasen is a fantastic place to live, with lots to do for the whole family, and brilliant community initiatives like this, making it the perfect location for those looking to set down roots somewhere new.

“We wish all Market Rasen residents a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a fantastic New Year.”

For several decades, The Market Rasen Children’s Christmas Tree Fund committee has also hosted an annual Christmas Eve event to bring the community together. During the event, families and friends can enjoy the fully decorated tree and the sounds of the Gavioli Organ, which dates back to the 19th century.

To top the special evening off, there’s also an appearance from Santa himself who hands out approximately 400 presents to children.

Geoff Hill, honorary secretary of the Market Rasen Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, said: “The tree installation and Christmas Eve event date back to post-war Britain and always mark a popular date in the festive calendars of the people of Market Rasen. However, they wouldn’t be possible were it not for the donations of businesses like Chestnut Homes. A big thank you to the Chestnut Homes team for their generous donation which has helped us spread festive cheer across Market Rasen for another year.”