| Parish Carol
Singing
But
it is pretty dark! Torches and lanterns were much
in evidence on the first night of 2002’s Parish
Carol Singing as we set off from St Philip’s Church
to Lower Rd and York Rd. They weren’t needed
too much as we came back down the well-lit West Park Rd,
but the singers had to sing especially hard to compete
with the traffic noise. …..and
it NEVER rains!!! But
it’s always pretty cold! And this year was no
exception. Parish Carol singing is one of those
wonderful traditions which evolves and changes each year
– the big change this year was the participation by
children and staff from All Saints’ School on the
Wednesday night which was a real pleasure for everyone
involved. 14 children from Indigo Class led the way
down Old Tovil Road and before long had everyone joining
in with their ‘Mince Pie Calypso’. …..and
it NEVER rains!!! But
it wouldn’t matter if it did! Because everyone
is wrapped up well and ready for any weather. And
so to the last evening – from St Stephen's School.
A visit to sing for the old folk in The Haven and the
Betsy Clara nursing homes and then all off to Courtney
Road to marvel at the lights. …..and
it NEVER rains!!! But
there’s always a warm dry place to meet afterwards
and to enjoy a hot mug of soup, a chat and a chance to
help with counting the evening’s takings. This
year a magnificent £473 was raised to be shared by Save
the Children and Kidscape (a charity which supports
children with special needs by providing wheelchairs and
other adaptations to enable them to attend mainstream
schools). This
very special annual event is very much a part of the
parish calendar and involves people from right across the
Parish - keep an eye out for dates for 2003 which will be
published in Community. It’s a wonderful way
to bring the Christmas message to homes across the Parish
and remember … …it
never rains!!! (well
actually, it did one year, but that was long, long ago
and it’s a story which will have to wait for a
future edition of Community.) John Fowler |