Northiam

Happy Christmas to one and all! I hope you are fully in festive mode, as the holiday stretches over a longer period than usual this year.

The Christmas celebrations start with the Carols by Candlelight service in St Mary’s Church at 6.30pm on Sunday with all the traditional favourites and some thought provoking readings.

The Crib Service on Monday (Christmas Eve) at 4pm is focused more on children, and many youngsters who have taken part in Messy Church through the year will have key roles. Please look out for the beautiful frieze on the Communion table, which Messy Church made at their Messy Christmas meeting.

At 11.15pm we meet again to greet Christmas Day during the Midnight Communion Service, and the main Christmas Day celebration starts at 10.30am, when you are invited to bring any interesting present to show us all. Rod likes to have a play, so if your children or grandchildren are having something noisy or exciting, bring it along! In the past we have had cricket bowling down the aisle, remote control helicopters whizzing up to the rafters, a singing moose – you get the idea!

If you would like company other than your family, then you will be pleased to know that the Village Coffee Morning Market will be next Friday 9-12, where you can share the highs and lows of the festive season!

Remember that the library is shut on Thursday 27th December, but open on Saturday 29th, so you can stock up with some good reads for the weekend.

The New Year’s Eve party in the Village Hall is sold out, and I understand that some people have put their names down for next year already!! It should be a great evening.

Northiam Bonfire Society is ready to enrol members, so please do contact the Society if you are interested in joining in, or want to be kept informed. [email protected] or phone Nick Searle 253754.

Bookings are being taken for the Conservation Society’s Wine and Wisdom quiz evening on Saturday 26th January. Lynn and Mervyn are taking bookings – 253443 – or Rose Cottage, next to the Post Office. Teams are six to eight people, at a cost of £7 each. Always a great evening out.

Services (23rd): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise, 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight. (24th): 4pm Crib Service, 11.15pm Midnight Communion. (25th): 10.30am Family Christmas Celebration