Express & Star

Tipton Tree of Life set to shine again

A tradition that allows loved ones to be remembered will take place in Tipton just in time for the festive season.

Published

The Tipton Tree of Life, which has been running for 22 years, sees the tree planted outside St Paul's and St Martin's Church on Owen Street.

Hundreds of lights are placed on the tree and people are encouraged to sponsor a light in memory of friends and family they have lost.

The names of loved ones can also be written on a memorial board underneath the tree when it is lit.

Last year over 1,000 people attended the event with around £6,500 raised, with all money being donated to a variety of charities.

Ray Brothwood, aged 76 from Tipton, is a founding member of Tipton Civic Society and the Tipton Tree of Light.

He said: "It's a brilliant occasion and has just grown as the years have gone by,

"There's too much for me to do on my own these days so I have a lot of help from members and Dudley Rotary Club have stepped in to help me this year.

"We're looking to raise as much as we did last year, if not more. There will be a carol service at the church, with bible readings on the night and the council have given us the job of lighting up the streets.

"It really has gone crazy, it's a massive thing for Tipton, if we ever stopped doing it it would be sorely missed."

The scheme is sponsored by Tipton and Coseley Building Society. It was taken over by the Tipton Civic Society after Tipton Rotary Club wound up four years ago.

Since then, more than £20,000 has been raised from the event.

Among those to benefit from the scheme last year was Crossroads Care. The group has provided a wide range of community care services to people in need of help, support and respite care services in the Sandwell area since 1987.

The event will happen on Friday November 27. Lights cost £5 and people will also be given a bauble for their own tree at home and a calendar from the Rotary club.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.