THE WINNER of Worcester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival is delighted he forged ahead with his creation.
Metal fabricator Jason Saunders, of Wise Fabrication Ltd in Halesowen, beat off stiff competition to the top slot with his handmade forged steel Christmas tree.
More than 150 schools, charities, businesses and organisations took part in the biggest festival yet, with a new token voting system introduced for 2024.
After the festival ended on January 6, the tokens and Facebook likes were combined, counted and verified and with 1,828 votes, Jason’s tree was the People’s Choice.
Having spent around 160 hours on the tree, Jason was thrilled to win.
He said: “I decided to enter after visiting with my daughter Winnie last year and noticing there wasn’t anything made from steel. It was a personal challenge and I was excited to be able to add something a little different to the line-up.
“After signing up, I had no clue what design to go for or even how to draw a steel tree let alone fabricate one – a Google search revealed steel trees just aren’t that common. But I love a challenge, so started sketching, trying to go with what I thought possible and push myself to new depths in my smithing career.
“I had my rendering, much coal and a strong passion to create something special, so I started forging hot steel over the anvil in October, and branch by branch the forged Christmas tree started to come to life.
“I had no idea there was a competition element to the festival. The only competition that took place was me against myself and my own skillset and ambitions to create something special. For me I had already won when I saw Winnie’s face that first time she saw the tree in the cathedral.
“The Christmas Tree Festival is so magical to me now. After pulling up on the install date not knowing if the tree would get laughed at or what reception it would receive, I can truly say it brought me and my family so much joy over the festive period.
“The tree now has new owners, a lovely local couple who plan to display and enjoy its presence all year round, changing its decorations each season.
“I look forward to taking part next year with a bigger, more detailed and harder design forged tree.”
