By Andy Dalton
Armley residents and shoppers are being encouraged to switch from dreams of a ‘white christmas’ to a ‘green christmas’.
Leeds City Mission, in Mistress Lane, are offering green ferns and sprigs of holly free of charge to anyone who wants to deck their home along with their normal Christmas decorations.
The natural green fir and holly sprigs have been pruned from bushes and trees. They provide an attractive, traditional, environmentally friendly decoration for the season. And they come for free.
Volunteers from the City Mission have been hard at work over the last few days selecting and cutting the sprigs for this seasonal initiative. Secateurs have been put to good use as they have harvested offcuts of fir and holly.
The volunteers hope that this seasonal decoration will bring a measure of joy at the end of what has been an anxious year for so many people as they reflect on the conflicts around the world.
The City Mission is also running a pop up Christmas charity shop. This is open until Christmas Eve.
Volunteers have amassed a wide range of gifts and items for sale suitable for gifts and presents. These are being offered at bargain prices with something for everyone catering for a wide range of tastes and preferences.
Free Christmas gift tags lovingly created from old Christmas cards are also on offer. They hope that people on restricted budgets will find this helpful as they seek to celebrate the season.
On Thursday, 19 December at 12 noon the City Mission are organising a short Carol Sing for shoppers and local residents in their Compassion Centre. A 30-minute programme of traditional carols and readings concluding with seasonal refreshments will help people connect with the reason for the season.
A spokesman for the Leeds City Mission said: “The City Mission is becoming known for its ‘give-aways’. In addition to the City Mission foodbank which supplies items for people really struggling in life we are also offering these free christmas green decorations.
“There are also free gift tags on offer as well”
Visitors can also enjoy the opportunity to pick up some last minute presents for Christmas. The carol singing session will be the opportunity to enjoy the christmas spirit.
Anyone can call in at the Compassion Centre of Leeds City Mission in the remaining days before the Christmas holidays start. Hours of opening are Monday to Friday 10.30am–3pm and Saturday morning from 10am–1pm.
Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people since 1837 and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents. More details on 0113 345 3118.
Its premises are located at the junction of Town Street and Mistress Lane (next door to Westerly Croft flats) in Armley.
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