v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v Page 72 • The HERALD • 8th October 2026 ON THE HOME FRONT 7 & 9 The Marsh, Hythe SO45 6AJ • pearsons.com • 023 8084 4131 • hythe@pearsons.com CHRISTMAS IS TAKING SHAPE AT ST JOHN’S Preparations are gathering pace for this year’s Hythe Christmas Tree Festival, which will transform St John’s Church into a festive celebration of the local community from Saturday 21st November to Saturday 5th December. Following the earlier appeal, plans are now taking shape for two weeks of beautifully – and sometimes very imaginatively – decorated Christmas trees, with local organisations, charities, businesses and community groups being encouraged to take part. e festival, organised by Hythe 2000 Charitable Trust in partnership with St John’s Church, is about much more than Christmas trees. It is an opportunity for organisations from across Hythe and the Waterside to showcase what they do, while giving local people a chance to come together and enjoy the start of the Christmas season. There’s still time to enter a tree If your organisation, business, charity, club or community group has been thinking about entering a tree, there is still time to get involved. You don’t need to be an expert Christmas decorator! Some of the most memorable trees are those that use a little imagination to re ect the organisation behind them. Trees can be traditional, colourful, humorous, unusual or completely original. And if the lack of a tree is stopping you from taking part, please get in touch. ey have been encouraging local residents to donate pre-loved arti cial Christmas trees and decorations that may have been gathering dust in lo s, garages and attics, so that they can be put to good use by participating community organisations. If you have an arti cial tree or decorations you would like to donate – or you are an organisation that could make use of one – please email: ctf@ hythe2000.org A tree could be coming home with you! Visitors will once again have the chance to bid for their favourite trees in the festival’s silent auction. At the end of the festival, the successful bidders will be able to take their trees home, ready to enjoy throughout Christmas. ere will also be plenty for younger visitors to look forward to, with Santa’s Grotto taking place on Saturday 21st November and Saturday 5th December. Above all, the organisers hope this year’s festival will once again celebrate the tremendous community spirit there is in Hythe and the Waterside. So put the dates in your diary: Saturday 21st November to Saturday 5th December at St John’s Church, New Road, Hythe. e festival will be open Monday to Saturday and closed to festival visitors on Sundays, when St John’s will continue with its usual Sunday worship and services. Whether you decorate a tree, donate one, place a bid or simply go along to enjoy the displays, they would love you to be part of the Hythe Christmas Tree Festival 2026. For information about taking part or donating a pre-loved tree or decorations, email: ctf@hythe2000.org Exclusive New Build Homes Prices starting from £395,000. A rare opportunity to purchase one of ve exclusive new build homes located within walking distance of Hythe. e collection o ers a mix of 2 and 3 bedrooms ideal for rst time buyers, downsizers and growing families. e properties boast high energy ratings to help ensure lower running costs and a more sustainable lifestyle. Built by a reputable local Developer, each property has a modern interior including fitted kitchens, family bathrooms and ensuites. Externally all homes bene t from private gardens, allocated parking and EV charging points. e showhouse is now available to view by appointment. For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact Pearsons Estate Agents on: 023 8084 4131 or visit: www.pearsons.com Autumn Quiz Join Lepe Country Park for a cosy evening of autumn-themed trivia on 23rd October, from 6pm, where falling leaves meet friendly competition! From seasonal foliage and harvest festivals to local knowledge and music trivia, the autumn quiz will put your knowledge to the test. £2.50 per person, usual parking charges apply. To book your space and for more information, please visit: www.hants. gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/lepe/ whats-on or call: 023 8089 9108. Totton Repair Café Totton Repair Café is running on Saturday 24th October 10.30am to 1pm at Totton & Eling Community Centre. e aim of the Totton Repair Café is to try and prevent small household goods from going to land ll if they stop working. You can take along small electrical or other items too good for the tip, you can sit and help/observe with any repair and refreshments are available while you wait for a small charge. It’s also an opportunity to nd out more about the Repair Café and Men’s Shed. A er your repair is completed all they ask for is a voluntary donation towards the cost of the hall and insurance. For further details please contact the Totton & Eling Community Centre by email: tottonrepaircafe@gmx.co.uk Reach For The Stars Holbury Manor WI meets at the Fawley Rugby Club, Newlands Road, Fawley, SO45 1GA on Monday 26th October, starting at 7.30pm, their guest speaker will be talking about Astronomy. Go along and join them to reach for the stars and learn a little about the solar system. ey are a friendly group and welcome visitors/new members. It is a chance to make friends and learn a variety of new things. For further details and to reserve your place please email: holburysec@hampshirewi.org.uk Monthly Coffee Morning Abbey eld House, Mill Lane, Romsey (SO51 8EW) open their doors on the first Monday of the month, 10.30am to 12noon, to welcome friends and neighbours for a co ee morning. Join them for a co ee, tea, cake and a chat with their lively residents.
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