North Fambridge Ladies' Afternoon Club met at the Ferry Boat Inn for their Christmas luncheon on Tuesday December 4.

Most members were able to make the event and it proved to be a lively start to the Christmas festivities.

The family room rang with laughter and lively chatter and everyone was soon in a party mood, pulling crackers and wearing their paper hats.

Christmas cards were exchanged and an enjoyable time was had by all. Our thanks go to Sylvia and her staff for helping to make the lunch such a success.

As usual, there will be no meeting in January. Our next meeting will be held in the village hall at the usual time of 2pm on Tuesday February 5, 2008, when Barbara Wright will be entertaining us with another fun quiz.

YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU

TERRY Wisbey, our civil emergency co-ordinator for the village, who is working extremely hard on this very essential project, has told me that there is still a shortage of community wardens.

It is essential that every street has a representative so that all the elderly and vulnerable people are covered in an emergency. To date there are only two in Franklin Road and Fambridge Road, one in Kitchener Road, Stephenson Road, Brabant Road and Church Road, and two in Ferry Road. As yet there are no wardens at all for Rectory Road or The Avenue.

All roads need as many wardens as possible in order to be efficient should a disaster occur. So please give Terry a ring on 743523 or e-mail terry.marilynwisbey@ btinternet.com if you can help.

Street wardens are to work in groups of two or more at a moment's notice to contact people if an emergency situation is declared. Please contact Terry for more information.

Information given will only be used by either the civil emergency co-ordinator or the emergency services.

Thank you to everyone who has co-operated in this matter.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

CHRISTMAS Services - everyone, including children, is welcome at all the services.

Sunday December 23, 10am - Christmas Present Special, a service for all ages. Children are invited to bring a toy/game in good condition they no longer need, to be given to children who are without.

Monday December 24, 11.15pm - Midnight Communion. Following its popularity last year, Fambridge again has its own "Midnight".

Tuesday, December 25, 10am - Communion and Carols. Children are invited to bring and show a new present.

Sunday December 30, 10am - United Service at Latchingdon.

Sunday, January 13, 2008, 10am - Christingle Service.

THANKS FROM ME

It has come round to that time of the year once again when I feel it is appropriate for me to say thankyou to everyone who reads me, and especially to all of you who give me reports and "tip-offs" on the various functions and activities taking place in the village throughout the year.

Everyone has been most helpful and without you all, we would not have a column each week. Remember, we are read far and wide - I do know this from the various telephone calls I receive.

Thanks also to the team at the Standard for giving us such good coverage every week. I have actually been writing the column for over 20 years and I can honestly say there have not been many weeks when we have not been in the news.

Thanks to all the various organisations, our post people, our hard-working councillors, the milkman, our bin men, the Parochial Church Council who keep our lovely church in good order and the Ferry Boat team who always have something going on to keep everyone amused.

Please do keep in touch, and if you want to share your event or want support for it, all you have to do is let me know and I will do my very best to let everyone know.

I do hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a peaceful, happy and bug-free New Year.