THE Annual Christmas Fayre took place on Saturday, December 6 in the village hall between 12midday-2pm. The seasonal refreshments proved very popular as people took the chance to revive themselves with mulled wine and soup, in between browsing and buying from the many stalls selling decorations, cakes, preserves, books and crafts.

The CAMEO Teas Carol Service was held on Wednesday, December 10 in St. James’ Church followed by a three course Christmas lunch at the Kings Court Hotel near Alcester. The 50+ Lunch Club had the Christmas lunch at the Coach and Horses on Thursday, December 11. At the first meeting of the Lunch Club in January it was explained that the future of the Club was uncertain as the subsidy for the meals would end soon.

The Harvington Singers Christmas Concert on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, provided a traditional and enjoyable start to the festive season. The programme contained seasonal songs and carols, and the venue, St James’ Church, was decorated throughout with seasonal greenery with festive silver highlights and flickering candlelight. Mulled wine and mince pies provided warming refreshments during the interval.

After three years as curate in the Arch Benefice, on Sunday, December 14 Revd. Steve Jordan was officially licensed as Associate Minister to the Arch Benefice. The service was presided over by the new Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher in St. James’ Church.

Harvington Handbell Ringers were out and about in December ringing at Ellenden Tasting Day, the Avoncroft Museum, Greenhill Care Home, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, and churches. They collected money for their usual charities, Midland Air Ambulance, Warwickshire Air Ambulance and St. James’ Church and this year they collected over £4000. The Harvington Handbell Team would like to thank everyone for their support this season, wherever you saw them. The team are always happy to have new members, so if you are free between 7.30-9pm on Mondays and are interested then contact Keith Hemming on 07794 559674 or through the website www.harvingtonhandbells.org.uk.

The school performed their play ‘Countdown to Christmas’ on twice on both Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 16. All the school took part in singing and acting under Mrs Enstone’s direction. The play followed the adventures a family as they prepared for Christmas, remembering the reason for the season as they wrestled with the busyness. Members of the village community who saw the play on Monday afternoon were impressed by the quality of the performance and the work that had gone into it. There was a collection at the end of each performance for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and the total raised was £195.

• Coming up: Harvington First School PTFA presents Burns Night 2015 in the Village Hall on Friday, January 24 from 7.30pm. The tickets cost £15 and include a traditional two course meal, including haggis and are available from the Post Office. Tickets are limited and usually sell out before the day.

• The speaker for the next meeting of the Gardening Club on Wednesday, January 28 is Duncan Coombs, who will be talking about ‘Winter Colour and Interest.’ Contact Libby Knight 871531.

GILL THORNILEY