The first Advent candle was lit on Sunday morning at the service led by Margaret Flinders.

She took Advent as her theme, asking “What are we waiting for?” George Bilkey and Esme Wearne read from the Bible and organist was Margaret Bilkey. A song by Ric Wakeman was also played, and some of the beautiful Advent hymns were sung.

The church has been beautifully decorated for the Christmas Angel Experience which will be open until January 6, and everyone is very welcome to come along to see it free of charge, and have some refreshment afterwards.

As usual the big Christmas tree has been erected and people are invited to write a message in memory of a lost loved one to hang on the tree in aid of the Mermaid Centre.

On Friday evening our usual Christmas Fayre, coinciding with the switching-on of the town’s lights, raised £572 for church funds. Thanks are offered to all those who helped in any way.