When the New Year arrived I was so intent to put up the new calendar, the recycling wagon had been and whisked away everything before I realised that the old calendar was amongst them! I have kept all the Carol sheets and as the wonderful month of December was full of such joy it shouldn’t be too hard to recollect.
This year’s Christmas Fair was a great success with all the stalls bursting at the seams. The raffle prizes were tremendous and overflowed onto two tables. A wonderful amount of £440 was raised for Naomi House, with a further amount of £456 raised for the PCC. Amanda Robb won the raffle for the Christmas Cake which was really great.
A very jolly group sang festive songs at Basingfield House, also at Oak Lodge along with a service with Rev. Julia, joined very enthusiastically with the residents.
The Book Club held their December meeting at the Fox on the 12th. We were there to discuss The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. However, this ended up being a small part of our meeting as the turkey, cheese soufflé and great company took over. Also it was a great catch up time with Lynne, who had joined us all the way from the Somerset/Dorset borders.
The Mayor’s Carol service was held at St. Michael’s church in Basingstoke on Saturday 13th. Many choirs from around the area came together, Steventon Singers being amongst them. Children from Marnel Junior school choir were terrific and sang Riding on a Donkey and The Swinging Shepherd Blues.
Sunday 14th was Deane Carol service where the United Benefice choir sang the Coventry Carol and A Maiden Most Gentle during the first of many wonderful services. The organist, Douglas Paine, which enabled Paul Wright, instead of playing to sing with us which was a real treat. Mulled wine and nibbles finished the evening off a treat, thank you to all who provided these.
Friday 19th the flower ladies gathered at St. Nicholas’ with flowers and greenery in abundance. Amongst a lot of laughter and chatter the church soon looked so very beautiful with it’s Christmas colours. Thank you Chris for the mince pies and mulled wine also the fabulous picture you took of us all. A great memory in the years to come!
The Children’s Christmas party was enjoyed by all, the decorations were tremendous. Well done Rachel and friends.
Once again the Crib service on Sunday 21st was great. A fabulous story that was acted by children and adults read from scripts that Marilyn had prepared for us all. Baby Jesus, played beautifully by Louis Gruzilier, who was just perfect. Just as he was at the end of November for his baptism.
Tuesday 23rd was the Carol service and saw St. Nicholas’ church full. The candles were all lit making the church even more beautiful. So many children, many of whom joined together for the readings, wonderful. The choir sang I Wonder as I Wander, Behold that Star and Poverty, the traditional carols sung by all filling the church with joy. Steventon Singers all joined the choir to sing the Coventry Carol. Afterwards everyone went back to the village hall for mulled wine and delicious nibbles, with the decorations still up from the children’s party it made for a fitting end to the evening.
A very big Thank You to Kit and Suse Harrison for hosting the Christmas Eve festivities and sharing your beautiful home with everyone. The carols sung round the piano during the evening were brilliant, thank you to Paul and Marilyn. The children all enjoyed themselves and I’m sure it didn’t take them too long to fall asleep once at home in bed!!
Christmas Day was cold and crisp, children had risen early, including adults too!! The service at 10.15 was truly amazing. Standing room only even after extra chairs had been added! Around 150 people at the last count. A tremendous service. The Gloria in Excelsis was sung to the tune of Ding Dong Merrily on High and Agnus Dei was sung to the tune of Silent Night which was great fun.
So here we are now in January!! U.F.O. has resumed, today at Chris’s. Book club is tomorrow the 9th . Of course the majority of time now will be taken up with rehearsals for the Panto ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The dates for the Panto are February 19th, 20th and Saturday21st with a matinee also on Saturday