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'To feel somebody cares means everything'

Andrew Turner/BBC Violet and Scarlett hold the Christingles they have made in the vestry at Great Yarmouth Minster. Violet is wearing a black jacket and Scarlett is wearing a blue coat. Behind them are other children and against the wall is a row of fitted bookshelves.Andrew Turner/BBC
Violet and Scarlett say the Christingles they have made from oranges symbolise the light of Jesus Christ around the world

Christmas preparations peaked at a church - when hampers were being given out as children prepared for a festive service.

On Monday, Great Yarmouth Minster was used by the charity Voluntary Norfolk to distribute 75 parcels of food, treats and festive crackers.

"To feel part of something, that somebody cares means everything, means the world," said one recipient.

Meanwhile, in the vestry, children and their parents were busy sticking candles and fruit into 300 oranges in readiness for the town's Christingle service.

Andrew Turner/BBC Oranges in a plastic box, with candles and fruit on cocktail sticks, ready to be used at a church service on Christmas Eve.Andrew Turner/BBC
Christingles represent the world and the light of Jesus Christ

The Reverend Canon Simon Ward, rector of Great Yarmouth, said: "We've got a fantastically efficient Christingle factory running here in Great Yarmouth.

"Everyone has been really busy getting ready for Christmas.

"But in church it's always a little different and we are busy doing different jobs that other people don't think about - such as making 300 Christingles.

"The vestry smells fantastic and there's sweets and fruits and candles and there's lots of children and families helping."

Andrew Turner/BBC Jonah holds one of many Christingles he made during a workshop at Great Yarmouth Minster on Monday. Jonah, has blonde hair and is wearing a yellow and green Norwich City Football Club scarf. Andrew Turner/BBC
Jonah helped make some of the 300 Christingles at Great Yarmouth Minster for the service at 16:00 GMT on Christmas Eve

Jonah, who helped make the Christingles, said: "They represent Jesus is the light of the world, with the orange as the world and the sweets and raisins are the food and the candle is Jesus, the light of the world.

The minster was also used to distribute around 75 Christmas hampers to people on low incomes who might usually attend the town's Open Christmas, which is not operating this year.

A lack of volunteers was cited as the reason, along with the lack of availability of a suitable venue.

Sue, 73, from Caister, said the hamper would help her feel less isolated this Christmas.

She said: "It makes me feel like I'm part of something. I'm on my own, I've got no family, no Christmas dinner."

Andrew Turner/BBC John McBride, holding a Christmas hamper box, filled with food and Christmas crackers. He is standing in Great Yarmouth Minster, where a giant model of an angel stands in the background.Andrew Turner/BBC
John McBride, from Voluntary Norfolk, said around 75 Christmas hampers were being distributed across Great Yarmouth

John McBride, from Voluntary Norfolk, said: "We have a lot of people asking for these hampers well in advance. They provide essential items: toiletries; easy to cook food and festive treats.

"They fly out of the shelves. The bookings go crazy. I think we could double what we do. The need is huge in the Great Yarmouth area.

"It's a massive difference to the sit-down meal, but these hampers are more than just one meal.

"I'm sure everyone would love a hot sat-down meal with company and that would be amazing, but at the moment we've had to go with the hampers and they will last more than one day."

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