Ansty

THE second Ansty Christmas Fayre was held at the Old Brewery Hall.

A steady stream of visitors kept 12 stallholders busy for the afternoon. Funds raised will go towards the upkeep of the hall and various charities.

Milborne St Andrew

WHAT a busy weekend Milborne has just had! The Christmas market was held on the Saturday in the village hall and was opened by none other than Father Christmas himself. Vast quantities of gifts, bric-a-brac, cakes, pies, books, toys etc were sold, raising just over £1,000 in three hours!

  • ON THE Sunday afternoon the village hall was again in use for an Advent workshop, in which over 35 children took part.

They made lanterns and badges, enjoyed a wonderful tea and then processed along the candle and lantern lit path to the church for the benefice advent carol service.

As it was St Andrew’s Day, and therefore their patronal festival, the church was suitably decorated with fish! (St Andrew was a fisherman.) Children from Milborne First School and Ladybirds Playgroup had decorated fabric fish and these had been stitched onto an altar frontal and three banners, which looked wonderful.

These and the Advent candles that everyone held during the service made the packed church look beautiful, especially when the lights were dimmed at one point.

A big thank you to all the helpers from St Andrew’s PCC, it was a really great afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

  • LADYBIRDS Playgroup are celebrating their success!

They entered a competition run by the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, in which they had to create a picture of Peter Pan on an A3 poster.

The competition was open to nurseries, but the organisers particularly wanted the children to make the picture, as you can see from the photo, the Ladybirds entry was very child-led!

The prize was two family tickets for the panto, and Ladybirds have just heard that they are the winners.

Arrangements have been made for some of the older children (nine of them) to be taken by five helpers on Thursday, December 18 to see the matinee performance of Peter Pan.

The Pavilion has very kindly agreed not to make any charge for the extra helpers.

Well done to everyone at Ladybirds!

  • THE Friends of Milborne St Andrews First School held a very successful Christmas Fayre.

Each class organised its own stall, plus there was face painting, craft activities, games, superb refreshments and plenty of stalls to shop at.

There was also a large group of ornamental reindeer, made from logs and wood, looking for families to adopt them.

They were irresistible and I just had to adopt one and take it home (for a small fee!) Father Christmas very kindly took time out from his busy schedule to come and visit as well.

A total of £773 was raised by the Friends of the School, many thanks to all those who worked so hard.