CHRISTMAS services in the village: On Sunday, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in the Parish Church at 4pm. On Christmas Eve, the children’s Crib Service will take place at 5pm, followed at 11.30pm by Midnight Communion with Carols. On Christmas Day, at 10am, a Festival Eucharist with Carols will take place.

Our Methodist friends celebrate in Tadley on Christmas Eve, and in Silchester on Christmas Day at 9.30am with a Family Service. The Catholic service in Tadley will be a Family Mass at 9.30am on Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS Dance: Sadly had to be cancelled due to lack of support.

SILCHESTER pantomime: Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves takes place in the village hall on January 31, February 1, 7 and 8. Curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 and £6 are now on sale from 0118 981 5600.

THE write stuff!: We now have three local authors in Silchester – Ann Webster, Jan Sprenger (author Rosie Dean) and Stephen Bibby. Well done to them all.

SEASON’S greetings: I wish all my readers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy new year. Keep the news coming in.