Tamahere Christmas tradition under way

Tamahere's traditional Christmas Festival at St Stephen's Church, home of the Tamahere Markets, is on again.

The festival features gifts, decorations, tableware, handcrafted festive ware, carols, coffee and home-made Christmas cake and shortbread.

This year there is a red and white theme.

Open daily from 10am-4pm, except Sundays, the festival runs until December 24.

Visiting choirs will sing carols at 1lam and 2pm daily.

The festival will be a must when the Tamahere Christmas Market is held on December 21.

"The girls" of the festival have gathered under the leadership of Jill Law to put the festival together this year.

Long-time festival organiser Christine Pickering, who has designed the displays and driven the annual fair for 25 years, is not well.

Although Christine's drive is being missed "the girls" say they are doing their best.