The total sum collected when the carol singers went round the village just before Christmas was £235.06.

This is an excellent amount considering there were only about a dozen singers involved.

Carol Martin and her husband Cliff, who organise this event every year, would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part and to Brenda and George Jago and to Sylvia at the Ferry Boat Inn who provided the welcome sherry and mince pies at the "Pit Stops", and of course to everyone who gave so generously.

Carol told me that everyone taking part really enjoyed themselves and it is an excellent way to start the Christmas festivities. She hopes that next year even more people will come along and sing, with some more energetic young legs willing to go along and knock on doors and collect.

The money has been passed on to Farleigh Hospice.

Thank you Carol and Cliff for keeping up this lovely tradition in our village.

CHRISTMAS CARD PLEDGES

This is the second year that Ann Cutting has organised Christmas Card Pledges, where instead of sending Christmas cards to friends in the village many families make a donation to Essex Air Ambulance.

Last year was a great success with many people participating, this year was even more so with a fantastic amount of £585 being donated so far, and Ann thinks there is still even more money to come in.

This sum is approximately £150 more than last year, which obviously proves that it is something this village holds dear to its heart.

Essex Air Ambulance is such a worthwhile cause and I am sure many people will agree that this is a splendid way to support it as we never know when the Air Ambulance might be needed in the village and we need to call upon this service.

Ann would like to say a big well done to all of you for this fantastic achievement, and of course she will do it again next year.

And we all say a huge thank you to Ann for organising the Christmas Card Pledge scheme.

EASTER LILIES

If you would like to place a lily in the church in remembrance of a loved one for Easter, please contact Katy Gridley on 01621 741420 as soon as possible please before March 1.

She has very kindly offered to organise this, taking over from Shirley Braithwaite who has arranged the buying and displaying of the lilies in the church for very many years.

This has been appreciated by many and we thank Shirley and now Katy for doing this for us.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

The tickets for the Quiz Night to be held in the village hall on Saturday, February 9, are all sold. Sorry, all tables are now booked.

Service on Sunday, February 10, at 10am. 1St of Lent - Family Service and Scout Parade.

PARISH COUNCIL

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 11, at 8pm in the village hall.