Breage

Marion welcomed the guests and members. Then a lovely supper consisting of a varied selection of savouries and sweets, which was provided by members, was very much enjoyed by everyone.

The table was cleared and some of the washing up was done while the first parlour game was prepared. A very hilarious hour was spent playing games organised by Elizabeth and Sally. Some of the games had been given a new slant, which made them feel quite fresh: e.g. rings on a long string circle took the place of Pass the Parcel.

In spite of it being a cold evening outside everyone was as warm as toast. The competition results for a home-made cracker were: 1, Maureen; 2, Elizabeth and 3, Gillian.

The annual dinner was very good and enjoyed by all who went. A coffee morning raised £101 for WI funds. Marion wished everyone a happy Christmas and all the best for 2008.

The party ended at about 9.30pm when everyone emerged into a cold frosty night. The next meeting will be on January 10 at 7.30pm, when a talk on Mission Maldova will be given by Jean Anderson-Archibold. The competition is "a bar of fancy soap."

SITHNEY: ST SITHNEY CHURCH: Last Wednesday morning the Holy Eucharist service was followed by coffee and mince pies and the Grand Christmas Hamper Raffle.

There was a good attendance and hampers were won by V Trueman, E Simmons, Y Sullivan, G Rowe, B Head and P Mansell. More than 20 other prizes were also won. A total of £346 was raised for church funds. Many thanks to all who supported this event.

The Half-an-Half Christmas Draw also took place. The winners were Rev Harry, the church, M MacGregor, B Rowe, V Trueman, M Prichard, B Rouse, G Langford, B Wearne and P Hunter. The Rev Harry thanked Eric and Peggy for their hospitality and Peggy for preparing the hampers.

LEEDSTOWN: OVER 50s CLUB: Members had a very successful Christmas lunch at the Porthminster Hotel, St Ives. They were entertained by the Lady Birds from Troon, who were very good. Everyone enjoyed both the lunch and the entertainment.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make Leedstown bright and joyous for Christmas and the New Year.

The switch-on took place outside the Duke of Leeds with Merrick Mitchell and his wife switching on the excellent display. Tom Christophers was the MC and he thanked all who took part, including those who had struggled with horrendous conditions to get the lights up and functioning: Father Christmas and his reindeer, Leedstown School who sang beautifully and led the carols and Breage Silver Band, who were as expert as ever.

It was an enjoyable occasion for the whole village, with both the Duke of Leeds Inn providing food and drink and the village hall providing mince pies, with Father Christmas handing out presents.

LUMC NEWS: The nativity scene outside Leedstown Methodist Church was designed by Tom Christophers and constructed by Jonathan King and David Gill. It is very beautiful and provides a focal point for the Christmas celebrations.

On the evening of December 23 there will be a Christingle service at the church, followed by tea and coffee and mince pies. Donations welcome of mince pies.

Members are urged to hand in their stamps used on all those Christmas cards - they are collected by the chapel for the Leprosy Mission. There will be a post box in the Sunday school room. Please trim around the stamps, leaving no less than one-quarter inch all the way round. They will not take untrimmed stamps, as they do not have the staff to trim them.

SCHOOL NEWS: Celebrations continued with a very successful Eden trip last week for an adventure on ice and in the tropics! The day was enjoyed by all with only the odd bump and bruise.

Future events include the school Christmas Fayre, the Christmas production at the village hall at 1.45 and 6pm on Wednesday December 19, a Christmas Party on Thursday 20 and a Carol Service at Leedstown Chapel at 2pm on Friday, December 21. Everyone is welcome to any or all of these events. In the spring, there are lots of sports activities to make sure everyone gets and stays healthy.

FUNERAL: The funeral has taken place at Leedstown Chapel of Gwen Williams, who died suddenly, not long after the death of her husband.

A large congregation was present to pay their respects to someone who has worked hard for many village organisations since she and her husband moved to Leedstown from Nancegollan. All remembered Gwen for her enthusiasm and her work in the community.

Sympathy is expressed to Liz their daughter and David her fiancé and their families, who have had to suffer the loss of both Gwen and John in such a short time.

GOING FOR A SONG: The December meeting started on a sad note, when Leedstown WI Members stood in memory of Gwen Williams, their president, who died recently. Doreen Fletcher, vice president, took the meeting.

The rest of the meeting was a celebration of Christmas with a welcome to Averil Woolcock, adviser, and with an entertaining talk on antiques by Mrs Robinson. There was a competition between groups to guess the names of various antiques, their purpose, their date, what they were made of and what they were used for. Most members were wildly out and did not recognise the sugar cutting tongs, the moustache brush, the ribbon threader and the ear waxer, where Victorian ladies used to use the wax from their own ears to lubricate the thread! Few members identified the shoe stuffers or the buttonhole scissors, though some guessed the watch holder, the bread fork and the buttoner. It was all good fun, with a lot of amusing suggestions about the objects.

The highest group score was 13 out of 30! Margaret Kitchen, vice president, gave a warm vote of thanks. Prize winners for an antique: 1, Ann Jenkin: 2, Marie Brock and Margaret Kitchen; 3, Hazel Hall.

The afternoon finished with an enjoyable tea provided by members.

Christmas Services: December 23, 11am: Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Crowan Church. The Christingle service and Children's concert will be at 6pm. December 24, 11.30pm: Midnight Mass. Christmas Day there will be a Family Service and Communion in the morning. At Leedstown Methodist Church, there will be a Christmas Day service at 11am.

Nadelek Lowen ha Bledhen Noweth Da. A Happy Christmas and a good New Year.

BREANEY: METHODIST CHAPEL: On Sunday morning, fellowship member Sarah Fuller was the preacher. After the service had commenced and Angels from the Realms of Glory had been sung, Sarah asked the congregation: "What would you need to do to prepare for a royal visitor?"

She used Peter Benney plus a few items as visual aids, in a humorous way, at what might be appropriate for a visit to a private home. Since she has worked at the Tremough Campus she has been involved in two royal visits!

Breaney Advent presentation has taken a different form this year. During the first two weeks different people have been involved. This week it was Megan, Rosina and Nigel. Sarah read from Malachi and Isaiah, the writings were forth-telling the coming of a special being. It is at Christmas that Christians worldwide celebrate again the birth of the Christ child - God's only Son - Jesus the Christ child is Jesus the Saviour for the world. Are you expecting a royal visitor this Christmas?

Coffee Fellowship took place later downstairs.

The evening preacher was also a Breaney member, Paul Benney. Paul commenced the service with a Charles Wesley hymn (300 years after his birth). The reading from Isaiah was by Stephanie Gordon, and Jef Roberts read a portion of St John chapter one. Paul himself read a story from a J B Phillips book which had come to him from his grandfather, who was a local preacher in the old Porthleven Circuit. The message covered many things to do with Christmas. Paul Jenkin was the organist at both services.

There will not be a service at Breaney on Sunday evening, it being holiday time and members of the congregation are invited to attend Porthleven Methodist Carol Service at 6.15pm.

Christmas Day at 10.30am the service at Breaney will be led by Paul Benney.

GODOLPHIN CROSS: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: How good it was to have a fine evening for the switch-on of the Christmas lights. Once again a good crowd gathered and the Godolphin Primary School Choir delighted everyone with their sweet singing of Christmas songs and carols, with others joining in with the ones they knew. Thanks were extended to Sally Holland for leading them.

Godolphin Primary School head teacher, Tony Phillips, did the big countdown and "wow", how magical they were! Then it was time for mince pies, plus the hot dogs and burgers cooked by Ken, Chris and Tracey Woolcott, who were thanked by Jon Iliffe along with Horse and Jockey Bakery and Tesco for supplying the goodies.

Jon and his team of "lighting lunatics" work very hard at making Godolphin village look beautiful over the Christmas period and thanks are extended to them. Also thanks to Simon Rogers, Willy Goldsworthy and Grenville Richards of Southern England Farms Ltd (for the lifting gear) to make it all happen. The householders who supply the electricity for the displays must not be forgotten, so thanks to them to.

Finally a big thank you to Ashton, Breage, Sithney, Townshend, Leedstown, Praze, Crowan and Nancegollan for their efforts in making the villages so special at Christmas. Not to be missed - a journey through them all this Christmas.

METHODISTS: The service on Sunday was conducted by Mrs Ann Short of Porthleven. As usual Mavis Harper was the organist.

PRIMARY SCHOOL: Well done to the Sapphire children who certainly showed their stamina and pulled out all the stops (or should it be strokes?) to raise £451.70 for school funds from their sponsored swim. A huge thank you to them all. Also thanks to the school art club who raised a further £8 for school funds with their Christmas special events.

ASHTON: BALWEST METHODIST CHURCH: Morning worship on Sunday was led by Ken Rule of Redruth. The accompanist was Christine Cumber. The flowers were donated by Pat Jory.

On Sunday, all are welcome to the Christmas celebration service at 11am, when the guest soloist will be Andy Christophers of Penryn.

ASHTON CHURCH: On Friday, the annual community carol singing will be held at 7.30pm. Come along and sing your favourite carols. On Thursday, December 27 (St John's Day), there will be a Book of Common Prayer service of Holy Communion at 9.30am.

LION & LAMB: Events - Friday: Cloud Nine; Monday: Charity prize draw. The Charity Singers will be visiting; New Year's Eve: Jacky Walker.