TAUNTON Deane’s Mayor will be helping declare a shop near Wellington dedicated to all things Christmassy and raising funds for charity open this weekend.

Vivienne Stock-Williams will be cutting the ribbon at Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm at Middle Hill Farm in Langford Budville at 11am on Saturday.

Reg Hendy, owner of Langford Lakes, which has starred on the BBC’s ‘The One Show’, said: “The Mayor has very kindly agreed to declare us officially open for the festive season and to unveil our Christmas shop, and she will be assisting Father Christmas with the ribbon cutting.

“Once again this year, we’re hoping to collect as much money as possible for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) from the sale of mince pies and teas and coffees, aided by local volunteers for the charity, from our launch event through to our last day of trading before Christmas on December 23. Last year we raised £2,000 for the organisation.”

CHSW is currently the only provider of specialist hospice care for children in the region. It offers much needed support for youngsters with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and their families at its three hospices – Charlton Farm in North Somerset, Little Bridge House in North Devon and Little Harbour in Cornwall.

“We would like to invite everyone to this special festive season launch event with the Mayor, who is an ardent supporter of CHSW, and Father Christmas. The fun starts at 9am but an official ribbon-cutting event will take place at 11am. Bring the family, meet Santa and enjoy the refreshments, while also helping raise invaluable funds for this very worthy charity.”