Money raised from Christmas tree sales to be used to help conservation work on Marsden moor

Christmas is coming early to Marsden Moor, with the National Trust’s ever-popular annual tree sales returning later this month.

All the money raised goes directly back into the trust’s conservation work on the moor.

As well as the sustainably sourced, British-grown trees, there will also be a selection of handcrafted wooden gifts on sale.

These have all been made by volunteers and include hedgehog boxes, wooden plant troughs and bug hotels.

A range of bases to suit different tree sizes will be available to buy.

Sales will begin on Saturday week, November 26, at the National Trust office and exhibition space in the Old Goods Yard, next to Marsden train station.

A guided ‘seasonal saunter’ walk, led by the National Trust’s expert volunteer guides, will also take place at 10am on Sunday, December 11 – the final day of tree sales – and will lead walkers on a short route around Marsden, with a break for mulled wine and mince pies.

National Trust Area Ranger, Ian Dowson, said: “The whole team are really looking forward to the sales, which mark the start of our festive season.

"We’ve been known to get into the Christmas spirit early – our handmade signs advertising the sales have already started going up around the village.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who’s supported our conservation work this year.

"The money we raise will help the ranger team with important work like moorland restoration, repairing fences and stiles and protecting wildlife on the moors.

“The money will also help us repair the damage caused by the fire last April.

"We’ve started recovery work with our community moss planting days, and our team of volunteer rangers who’ve joined us in all weathers through the year.

“We’re really looking forward to the seeing many of our regular customers as well as new faces at the sale, and we’ll be able to hand out mince pies and mulled wine once again, to really get everyone in the festive spirit.”

Christmas trees are available in a range of sizes, with sales from 10am to 3pm every Saturday and Sunday from November 26 to December 11.

Prices range from £30 to £70 and payments can be taken by card or cash.

All the sales take place outside of the National Trust office, in the Old Goods Yard.

People looking to go on the ‘seasonal saunter’ walk are asked to book a place by emailing: marsdenmoor@nationaltrust.org.uk

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