SEVENTY members of the Upwey Society sat down to a traditional Christmas dinner at the Old School Village Hall.

Prepared, cooked and served by the committee, we enjoyed excellent food and wines following a delectable variety of canapés with fizz when everyone relaxed into the spirit of the thing.

Music was provided by Stickleback Jack and his group, and they compiled the quiz as well. And we enjoyed a rendering of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood according to Raoul Dahl by Angela Ramsden, but it was, perhaps, not the comfortable version with which we were all brought up!

Amongst the delights of the evening was the help of two charming girls, Farron and Sadee, from All Saints School who cleared the tables – they were real winners – along with Richard and Sue from the Mill and Janet Willment who manned the washing up bowls. They together made a great difference to the general enjoyment of all of us. Many thanks to all who put in so much effort to make the evening such a success.

ST LAURENCE Church Carol Service was, as always, very well attended and everyone’s candles added to the lovely Christmas decorations provided a very special atmosphere.

The music this year was outstanding with the choir, under the baton of Sue Bruce-Payne, singing some new and beautiful carols amongst those in which the congregation joined.

With David Bruce-Payne playing the organ there is no doubt that the music at St Laurence’s has move up several notches.

Perhaps the most moving moments came when twins Ellie and Katie Ninham sang together the opening verse of Once in Royal David’s City – there are two young voices to listen for.

NOW LOOKING forward to the New Year, the Nurdlers will be out in force on New Year’s Day getting up to their extraordinary antics.

They’re gathering at the Old Ship Inn on Ridgeway, dustbin lids to the fore, dressed for the fray in a variety of somewhat strange garments ready to hurl the nurdle from about 11am onwards.

It’s noisy, energetic, unexpected and without rules one can easily decipher and by the time they’ve pounded to the top of the Ridgeway and back they’re ready for their good ale.

Anyone is welcome to join in and it really is good fun. Come and nurdle.