Falmer

Tarmac: Regular users of Ridge Road will have seen the two new sections of Tarmac surface that have been laid recently. I am sure anyone who has to drive up and down that road will be grateful for this. It has even made walking up the road easier. Unfortunately residents down in the Mary Farm valley still have to negotiate the potholes on the lower section of the road as this is not part of the Highways responsibility. At the time of writing the two enormous pieces of machinery that were used to lay the tarmac are still parked outside the Almshouses, occupying most of the parking spaces available there.

Clear up: We are grateful to the University of Sussex for the splendid clear-up they have managed in the gardens of the Almshouses. The University is also offering to help with cutting grass and clearing up in the churchyard too, which will be very welcome. It is good to know that, while the university continues to expand, they are still concerned about the little village that is their neighbour.

Cormorant: I see that we have a cormorant visiting on the pond, competing with our resident heron for fishing rights. In the past we have had numbers of cormorants visiting for quite some time, and making a horrible mess in the process. I am quite hoping that this is just a single bird.

Calendars: As Rosemarie mentioned last week, we have some lovely calendars for sale (£5) with views of Falmer and Stanmer. You can purchase them at the Swan Inn and also at any event or service at St. Laurence.

Concert: Shepherds Arise! is coming to St. Laurence on Sunday at 2:30pm. I was unable to go to this event last year so I am really looking forward to it. Old Sussex carols, a Mummers Play, traditional instruments including a serpent! It sounds brilliant. There was standing room only last year, so get here early to bag a seat.

Christingle: I am looking forward to Christmas and particularly looking forward to accompanying my granddaughter to our Christingle service on Christmas Eve at 3pm. It is such a nice gentle service with the story of Christmas told to the children and then the Christingles explained, along with some favourite carols, the perfect way to start the celebrations.

Other Christmas services: Christmas Eve- Midnight mass 11:30pm, Christmas Day- Eucharist 10am.

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