Week beginning December 23rd 2002

Christingle thank you : Many thanks to all the wonderful families who turned out on a wet, dark afternoon in Hedon and gave a total of £103.00 to support the Children's Society. The money this year will go towards the Anti-bullying Campaign in our country. Thanks are also extended to everyone who helped in the preparation beforehand as well as at the actual service.

Paull carol singers thanks : the girls of Holderness Ranger Guides, who braved a bitterly cold night to go carolling from door to door in Paull last week, would like to thank everyone who gave them donations totalling £44 for their unit funds. It was particularly nice to hear appreciative comments made by many householders which made the evening so worthwhile.

Missing cat appeal : Jessie the cat has gone missing in Hedon and her owners are appealing for any information as to her whereabouts or better still, her safe return. Jessie is rather shy, as she is only six months old, and is tortoiseshell (black and brown) in colour with a stripe down her head and is not wearing a collar. She was last seen in the Ketwell Lane area of Hedon. Please could anyone who knows where she is or has seen a cat answering her description contact Gina on 01482 890920.

Christmas Services around the local churches :
Hedon : St. Augustine's Parish Church : Christmas Eve : the Midnight Holy Communion service starts at 11.30 p.m.; Christmas Day : Holy Communion service at 10.00 a.m ; Sunday December 29th : United Benefice service at 10.30 a.m.
Hedon Methodist Church, Church Lane : Christmas Eve : Holy Communion service starting at 11.30 p.m.; Christmas Day : morning service at 10.15 a.m.
Sorry, but after repeated attempts I have been unable to get hold of details for either the Catholic or Pentecostal churches' Christmas services.
Paull : St. Andrew's Parish Church : Christmas Day : Holy Communion at 8 a.m; Sunday December 29th : join with the United Benefice service at St. Augustine's, Hedon at 10.30 a.m.
Paull Methodist Church, Main Street : no service Sunday December 29th.
Preston : All Saints' Parish Church : Christmas Eve : Holy Communion service starting at 11.30 p.m.; Christmas Day : morning service at 10.30 a.m.; Sunday December 29th : United Service in the Methodist church at 10.30 a.m.
Preston Methodist Church : Sunday December 29th : Morning service 10.30 a.m.

Christmas Lights! The current "competition" running in Matt Stephenson's column in the Mail set me to thinking about the local Christmas light shows. There are some excellent house displays, my particular favourite (which wouldn't fit Matt's criteria, as it is far too tasteful) is a beautifully decorated bungalow in Ferryman Park, Paull, a veritable winter wonderland, which I spotted while out carol singing with the Guides the other night. We do, however, have another "light display" in these parts which far outstrips any domestic decorations and can be enjoyed from at least as far afield as Bilton and Keyingham, and all points between (I know, I've seen it from those villages) - I refer of course to the amazing flare at Saltend. It's been going full blast since early December now, and people have been heard to tell their children that it's BP's Special Christmas Candle, lit specially so that Father Christmas will be able to find his way easily on Christmas Eve… since it was also roaring away merrily at this time last year, I'm inclined to believe them! Combined with the "fairy light" effect of BP's normal lighting, and the occasional addition of a bright blue flare which I've noticed recently on another stack, it gives the whole plant a really festive air! I'll almost be disappointed when they finally get it fixed and it goes out again…

Christmas Greetings : As by the time this goes to press it will be my Christmas week column, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.