Little Common - a switch-on with a (treeless) difference

HOW do you perform a switch-on ceremony when the Christmas tree, complete with its illuminations, has been blown over?

The answer is that, of couese, you can't.

But Little Common Business Association brought success out of disaster.

An indoor ceremony had been scheduled to follow the outdoor ceremony at the village roundabout which had fallen victim to a day of heavy rain and violent winds.

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Festivities in the Community Centre combined all the elements of Christmas - including generous giving to deserving causes.

Village Brownies welcomed the public to the warmth and comfort of Little Community Centre, where a beautiful Christmas decoration graced the stage, Santa's grotto awaited the children and refreshments followed the traditional carol-singing.

Town Mayor Cllr Paul Lendon and his Mayoral Consort were guests at Sunday evening's event and jolly Santa handed out sweets to young and old alike.

Close harmony singers Quintasia got the evening off to a swinging start with a medley of carols and Christmas songs.

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Each year the Business Association stages its Country Fair and other fund-raising events to raise the money for the tree and Christmas lights.

It also has a tradition of supporting good causes.

Business Association chairman Stuart Earl presented cheques for 400 to Little Common Football Club and to Little Common Cricket Club. The money will be used to help each club's junior section.

He presented cheques to the Minister of Little Common Methodist Church, the Rev Roger Leslie, for Homecall the home-visiting charity for the blind, and to Father Chris Spain of St Martha's Roman Catholic Church, for Fairtrade, which ensures that Third World farmers are paid the market price for their produce.

There were further 400 cheques for Little Common Community Association, accepted by chairman George Ryder, and for the West Bexhill Voluntary Day Centre for the Elderly, accepted by chairman Jill Halsall.

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Stuart Earl told the assembly: "We are very lucky in Little Common to have such a strong community which really works together to make the community what it is."

The shopkeepers of Little Common cared about the customers, he said.

The fact that the Business Association had been able to raise such money was due to the support received in turn from their customers.

Father Chris recruited some young helpers to assist him in spelling out the Christian message of Christmas - turning "nowhere" into "now here."

The Blessing was given by the Rev Leslie.

The 25ft tree was snapped off at the base by a savage gust and will be replaced.

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