The Vale is graced with two important consecrated buildings - Pershore Abbey and Evesham town church All Saints with St Lawrence. Andrea Calvesbert reports

IT is all too easy these days to get caught up in the materialistic side of Christmas and often all too hard to avoid the last minute rush to grab a present - we've all done it, that desperate 'that will do' moment on Christmas Eve.

Of course, presents have an important role to play, it is lovely having the excuse to spoil a loved one or your children, but sometimes it is really important to stop for a moment and reflect on the more spiritual aspect of the festive season.Whatever your belief, a visit to a church is extra special at Christmas time.

Worcester Cathedral is obviously the area's largest church and well worth a visit, but the Vale of Evesham is graced with two particularly important consecrated buildings - Pershore Abbey and Evesham town church All Saints with St Lawrence.

Abbey Church of the Holy Cross in Pershore is beautiful at any time of the year. Set within tree-shaded grounds, it provides an oasis of calm behind the town's busy high street.The site has been a place of worship for 1,300 years and the current abbey, whilst old, also contains parts of the original abbey including the nave, some unique vaulting and its magnificent tower. It is renowned as one of the finest examples of Norman and early English architecture in the country.

The abbey welcomes visitors any time, but if you want to enjoy it in all its atmospheric finery it is hosting a concert of Christmas music performed by Worcester Male Voice Choir on December 9 at 7pm. This is followed on December 16 by Pershore Choral, details to be confirmed. On December 22 you can lose yourself in Handel's Messiah by Pershore Abbey Choir at 7.30pm.

Evesham All Saints with St Lawrence has its own chequered history, linked in places with the Battle of Evesham, and the church with its freestanding bell tower has become a familiar sight on postcards of the town.

Like Pershore, this church is set in the most picturesque part of the town amongst well maintained park leading down to the River Avon. Little wonder, then, that it is a magnet for visitors and for local people during a warm summer afternoon or a crisp wintry day.

A Benedictive abbey was originally founded on this site apparently after Eoves a swineherd saw a religious vision. Originally built in 1350, St Lawrence's church fell into ruin and was restored in 1837 at a cost of £2,514.The Bell Tower of the cemetery was building 1533.

All Saints church is the one now used for worship and where the Christmas celebrations can be enjoyed, St Lawrence's church is now with the Churches Conservation Trust.

Interestingly, until 1979, both churches were used to serve as the parish churches - one for each side of the High Street.

Church Services for Evesham over Christmas were yet to be finalized at the time of going to press. Check www.eveshamparish.com. One of the most enjoyable services over Christmas often aimed particularly at children is the Christingle. It has its origins in a Moravian children's service held in a castle in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747. The bishop conducting the informal service gave each child a lighted candle, tied with a red ribbon, in memory of the Saviour's coming which he said has kindled a flame in each heart which keeps burning "to His joy, and our happiness".

The modern Christingle consists of an orange representing the world, a red ribbon tied around the orange representing the blood of Jesus, fruits and sweets on four cocktail sticks pushed into the orange representing the fruits of the earth and four seasons, and a lighted candle representing Jesus.