Worcester Cathedral is delighted to announce that the winner of its Christmas Tree Festival 2025 is Birch Hill Dog Rescue.
More than 200 schools, charities, businesses and organisations took part in the biggest festival yet, with votes being cast in-person by token and on Facebook. After the festival ended on 6 January, the tokens and Facebook likes were combined, counted and verified and with 585 votes, Birch Hill Dog Rescue was the People’s Choice. The dog rescue charity, based in Cleobury Mortimer, rescues and rehomes dogs in need, no matter how long it takes.
They match furry friends with loving homes and provide lifelong care for those who can’t be adopted. Birch Hill ‘believes in second chances because every dog deserves to be loved.’ Birch Hill displayed a beautiful tree positioned in the Cathedral cloisters, adorned with dogs and paw print baubles and featuring a kennel housing two stuffed toy dogs wearing Santa outfits.
The tree won the hearts of the people, with comments on Facebook including: “A beautiful tree with charming detailing, especially the kennel with the two little dogs inside. Well done Birch Hill Dog Rescue.”
“Love the little baubles with the dogs’ pictures and names inside - let's hope they find their forever homes soon.” And simply: “Winner!” And it turns out they did win!
Wendy Watts, Trustee of Birch Hill Dog Rescue, said: “Wow! We have been completely blown away by this win - there were so many lovely trees taking part!
“The rescue world is really tough at the moment, so something like this really cheers us all up, and we are so grateful to everyone who voted for us. We are a small, independent rescue and although we’re based just outside Cleobury Mortimer, we do have our charity shop in Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, so we just had to enter a tree into the festival. In May last year we launched our project - "Operation Sunrise" which was the theme for our tree.
“Our current kennel block has been patched up more times than I can remember, and we desperately need a new one - a kennel block for the future. One of our supporters, Lin Morris, volunteered to take on the responsibility of decorating the tree for us. We said that we wanted "Operation Sunrise" to be the theme and left her and her husband, Steve Wassell to do the rest.
“Our Rescue Centre Manager, Andy Jones, made the dog kennel for the base and Lin & Steve decorated collars, paw prints and bones to hang on the tree. Inside each of the baubles were our rescue dogs, some sadly still waiting for that forever home and some that are in foster care. Right at the top of the tree was the sunrise, hopefully lighting the way for a brighter future.
“This year we will have been running for 30 years, 30 years of saving dogs, so this is a wonderful celebration of that milestone.” Birch Hill was closely followed by last year’s People’s Choice winner, Halesowen-based metal fabricator Jason Saunders of Wise Fabrication Ltd, with his handmade forged steel Christmas tree. In third place was Worcestershire Neonatal Unit, fourth Nick Taylor Plumbing and in fifth place National Grid.
The Cathedral’s Events Director, Sam Poursain, said: “Every year we are blown away by the imagination and creativity that goes into the Christmas trees displayed around the Cathedral.
“The standard seems to rise every year! The top five trees show a lovely mix of well-deserved charities, groups, individuals and businesses. Huge congratulations to Birch Hill Dog Rescue - a beautiful tree and very worthy winner.”
The winner of the People’s Choice vote will be given a free spot at next year’s Festival and presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievement. The Worcester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival 2025 was generously sponsored by Newmedica, Emdot Property Agents, Haus Installations, Kendrick Homes, Nick Taylor Plumbing, Peaceful Moments Therapy, Southco, St Peter’s Garden Centre and Bryland Fire Protection.