The Christmas Tree Festival at Chester Cathedral: A Surprising Discovery

Every year, we make our way to the Chester Christmas Market. It’s the usual routine: browsing every single stall—which, if you haven’t guessed, isn't exactly my "bag"—unless we’re talking about the food stalls. In that case, tell me where to queue and I’ll be first in line.

One of the real highlights, however, is the Christmas Tree Festival held inside the stunning Chester Cathedral. The cloisters are lined with trees decorated by local schools and businesses. It’s a wonderful community effort, but I really wasn't expecting the "ornament" I found on this particular tree.

Paper chains? Check. Pretty bells? Check. Gold star? Check. But then, nestled among the branches... a bottle of Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo.

It raises so many questions. How do the school kids of Chester know so much about Spanish reds? It’s a cheeky little number for the price, so I have to admire the choice. Well done to the decorators; you clearly have a bright future in wine criticism—or at the very least, you’ve discovered that a well-rounded red is the best way to take the edge off a long day.

Photography Notes:
Location: Chester Cathedral, Cheshire, England.
Subject: The Annual Christmas Tree Festival.
Composition: I wanted to capture the traditional festive "look" first, letting the viewer discover the wine bottle as a "hidden detail," much like I did in person.