St. Joseph’s Hospice will host a very special Christmas Market in its woodland gardens from 12pm on Sunday 8th December.

You will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, enjoy some fun and games and treat yourself to a wide variety of festive food and Christmas goodies.

The Christmas Market will close at 4pm to make way for the hospice’s annual Light up a Life service, when the lights will be switched on its 25ft Christmas tree.

Each light on the tree will be dedicated to the life of someone special, whether they were a patient at the hospice or not. Light up a Life is held at the hospice every Christmas and brings the local community together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones.

Father Furnival and Bishop Tom Williams will lead the service, which will start at 4pm and will also include festive carols and refreshments. Families are very welcome to stay for both events.

The hospice will be operating a park and ride service to ease local traffic congestion around the hospice on the day. The service will operate from Holy Family Catholic High School from 1pm - 6pm.

Norma Young, head of fundraising, said: “We’re very excited to host our first Christmas Market. We wanted to do something special for all the families and children who spend time at the hospice as well as our local community who support us all year round.

“Our gardens are so beautiful in the winter so we thought a Christmas Market would be perfect and a really lovely way to lead in to our annual Light up a Life service.

“The whole day will be very special and there will be something for everyone so please come along and support us.”

To find out more about the Christmas Market or Light up a Life, or to dedicate a light on the tree, visit our events page, call 0151 932 6044 or email events@jospice.org.uk.