Breakfast with Radio Berkshire at the Queens Arms Country Inn  ;  The Church Nativity Service

The Christingle service retained its pride of place as the gateway to Christmas, taking place as it did in 2006 on Christmas Eve. This was truly a candlelit occasion.  With the major electrical circuits within the church deciding to take an early Christmas break, we were left with only a handful of incandescent lights and no power for the organ. The congregation, led-in by Susan Holmes, sang unaccompanied, and indeed many commented on how they had enjoyed the special atmosphere that this seemed to generate.

The traditional service of  Lessons and Carols took place on Sunday the 16th of December. The Carol service marked the start of the Christmas Festivities at East Garston Church. The village came together, contributing in different ways to mark a tradition that clearly is very important to all – the celebration of the Christmas story told in readings and carols at their parish church.

The little medieval church looked spectacularly beautiful, both outside with the paths and trees lit by candles and the tower floodlit, and inside with the simple decorations of yew and ivy, a shimmering Christmas tree decorated in white and gold and 200 candles lighting the building.

The Revd Tony Cumberlidge conducting the service, warmly welcomed the congregation and thanked all those who played a part in making this such a special occasion – including The choir of St Michael and All Angels Church Lambourn, the East Garston Band of bellringers, the readers and the decorators. He then spoke of those less fortunate than the congregation and said that the collection would go to Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity

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Text : Ken Tarbox : Sally Wright
Photos : Ken Tarbox.