A RECIPE book is set to help Stow’s Christmas Tree Festival sizzle.

From ‘Boozy Raspberry Blondies’ to ‘Gloucester Cheese Stew’ – 61 crowd-pleasing dishes feature in a special St Edward’s Church and Community Cook Book.

Local cooks have parted with favourite recipes for the one-off collection at the celebration from Thursday December 7 to Sunday December 10.

The book will be an extra draw for visitors coming to marvel at 45 decorated Norwegian Spruces lighting up Stow Church and boost much-needed funds.

Bernice Magson, co-organising the 7th Festival with Susan Brattin, is delighted with the response to her family cookbook idea.

“The message spread by word of mouth,” she said.

“Originally I only went to cafes and pubs, then one or two people who belong to organisations said they could give me a recipe.

“This has really involved smaller organisations and individuals who’ve not joined in the Festival before but have been very enthusiastic.

“Now there’s 15 recipes from businesses, 20 from organisations, and 26 from individuals.”

The spiral-bound A5 book, at £5, showcases starters, main courses, desserts, cakes and biscuits and miscellaneous and is printed by Graphic Print Partnership, in Honeybourne.

Stow rector Martin Short has written a Preface.

All the festival trees are donated by Tim Godwin, from Fosseway Garden Centre, Moreton.

Festival-goers can vote for their favourite decorated tree in four categories: children, businesses, organisations and overall winner.

The event is open from 10am to 5pm, from Thursday to Saturday and from 12.30pm to 5pm, on Sunday.

Grand Opening is at 6pm on Wednesday December 6 at St Edward’s Church. Next day senior citizens are invited to a Christmas concert by Stow Primary School at 2pm, followed by tea and mince pies donated by Tesco, Stow.

On Friday, a festival lunch is held from noon to 2.30pm in St Edward’s Hall, starting with mulled wine and canapes followed by two courses with wine. Guest speakers are Martin and Lizzie Graham who founded Longborough Festival Opera.

On Saturday, North Cotswold Wind Band entertains visitors in the church at 10.30am. Sunday culminates with a church service and prize-giving at 6pm.

Five children’s groups have taken part from the very beginning – Stow Brownies, Stow Junior School and Infants, Swell Primary and Longborough Primary, one business – Adrian Clarke Electrical Services – and two organisations – North Cotswolds Rotary Club Ladies and Open The Book Assembly Group.

The cookbook is now on sale from Bernice Magson at £5, along with festival lunch tickets at £24.

Contact 01451 833840.