A TRULY seasonal and entertaining evening took place at Powick Parish Hall last Saturday. A Village Christmas Carol with musical directors Tom Wells and Stephen Watkins was enjoyed by a hall full of villagers. The concert was compered by Tony Seldon and items co-ordinated by Jenny Taylor.

These included: St James' junior church musicians Tom Nichol (piano), Catherine Nichol and Louisa Sandy (violins), Nicola Sandy and Hannah Whittal-Williams (clarinets) playing Christmas carols, accompanying the children performing the Nativity; a musical item on clarinet by Matthew Gordon; a quartet of young flautists comprising Charlotte Webb and Sarah Bickerton (playing The Snowman), Felicity Holehouse (Silent Night) and Erin Clarke; amusing readings by Sally Gurney (The Ostrich's Lament); a selection of children's Christmas letters read by Ian Gane and Jenny Taylor; carol singing from Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie read by Robert Floyd.

Four children (Nicola and Louise Sandy, Rachel Heap and Ellie Steele) performed amusing sketches under the guise of Santa's Little Helpers.

Interspersed among the readings were traditional carols sung by the audience. Bernie Winters sang I'm dreaming of a White Christmas. Powick Hand Bell Ringers - Carol Witt, Roger Gurney, Lynn Nichol, Mary Stafford, Naomi Ward and Jenny Taylor - played a medley of tunes and the concert ended with the choir singing Deep Peace, a Celtic blessing and the whole congregation singing Hark the Herald. During the interval, mince pies and hot toddy were served by Gladys Floyd, Julia Sandy and helpers. A repeat performance was held at Callow End hall on Thursday.

The traditional Christmas carol service was held last Sunday evening in St Peter's Church, Powick. Conducted by Reverend David Nichol, the service included Would I had been a Shepherd and the anthem We have seen His star in the East, accompanied on the organ by Lyndall Brown. Lyn Snook sang The Virgin's Lullaby. The Christmas story was told in readings from the Bible, read by representatives from the church community. They were Phillip Betts (St James', Callow End), David Brickell (Royal British Legion), Roger Gurney (bell ringers), Jonathan Slade (St Peter's, Powick), Jo Walker (the choir), Lindsey Brassington (St James' junior church) and Meg Allsopp (parochial church council). Members of the 7th Worcester Beavers, Cubs and Scouts attended and took the collection.

Christmas Eve midnight communion is at St Peter's at 11.30pm and Christmas Day, services at 8am and 11am.

1st Powick Brownies held a Christmas party last week in Powick Parish Hall. Brownies meet next on Friday, January 7 in the community meeting room at 5pm in Powick hall.