SPECIAL lighting effects will feature as part of St Oswald’s Parish Church Open day and Christmas tree switch on events in Winwick village on Saturday, December 2.

In addition to the festive decorations in the church this year, the children’s corner, featuring a wooden stable and nativity scene, will be enhanced for the first time by a creatively designed light display.

The lighting will be designed to create a special atmospheric setting for the scene and surrounding hay bales will provide some authentic seating. There will also be an additional exhibition - an ecclesiastical collection of historic church artefacts. Children from St Oswald’s C of E school, the brownies and the village will be welcomed as visitors during the open day.

The annual Christmas tree light switch on outside the church organised by Winwick Church Parish Council will be accompanied by a brass band and carol singing.

Winwick Women’s Institute are organising a Christmas fair in the nearby parish hall on the same afternoon where customers can browse a range of handmade craft goods, woollens, homemade confectionery and chutneys and enjoy tea and coffee with cake. All proceeds are in aid of Winwick Church.

Winwick WI are also hosting a joint carol service at St Oswald’s on 8 December to raise funds for the church when choirs from Culcheth, Newchurch, Croft, Glazebury, Glazebrook and Burtonwood Women’s institutes will be filling the church with song.

St Oswald’s Church Christmas Open day Saturday 2 December 2pm to 5pm.

Parish Church Christmas tree light switch on 4pm.

Winwick WI Christmas Fair Church Parish Hall, 2 December 12pm to 4pm.