Contest showcases Montville’s inspiring Christmas tree

No matter how dark the night, the Christmas Tree in Montville’s Village Green shone on day and night throughout 2020 (through pure happenstance the contractors did not return to remove the fairy lights).

“Eventually this accidental gift was noted and moves were afoot to take them down,” said Montville Chamber of Commerce President Shiralee Cooper. “But fortunately the community was heard, and the lights shone on. This tree gave people so much pleasure and was a beacon of hope in a most challenging year.”

Encouraged by how much people appreciated the magic of fairy lights, the  Chamber decided to spread the joy along Main St.  

“This year more than ever we all were craving the festive joy of Christmas,” said Shiralee. “This inspired one of our team to suggest ‘The Magic of a Montville Christmas’ photography competition. We love our village, especially at Christmas and we wanted to share this joy.”

Despite COVID challenges that saw most Christmas events cancelled, the Montville Chamber organised its first Festive Street Fair and the photography competition.

This photo by Jessica England was shortlisted. “It is remarkable how many people have got so much pleasure from our Christmas Tree”.

They called on award winning professional photographers Ben Connolly and Ben Messina to judge the event. Ben Connolly is the maestro of magical settings and has taken a number of surreal wedding photos wrapped within the fairy lit realm while Ben Messina’s lush landscapes can be found in his gallery in Main Street Montville.

Local businesses sponsored the competition with the major prize being a two-night stay at The Falls Montville in a Rainforest Cottage, a hand blown glass goblet from Illume Creations and a tasting degustation for two at Spicers Clovelly’s Long Apron.

Niel Wark’s Christmas Beetle was chosen as the winner of the Gold Award, the Silver was awarded to Shane Lee for his lamplit landscape, The Bronze award was shared by Tina Cooper and Alison Mooney.

“We are not sure whether our Christmas Tree will shine brightly throughout 2021 but our competition entrants have recorded some moments which will live on. There is magic to be found everywhere,” said Shiralee.