December events.

December is a very busy month in all the churches of our town and the surrounding villages.

The celebrations begin with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at 5pm outside St Paul’s Church, on Friday (December 2).

St Paul’s Christmas Bazaar is on Saturday (December 3) in the Chapel and the Narthex, from 9.30am to noon.

The Awliscombe Christmas Bazaar is the same day. from 10am in the Village Hall.

Hospiscare’s Service of Light is at 7pm in St Paul’s on Wednesday, December 7, and the Town Band is in concert in St Paul’s at 7pm on Saturday, December 10.

The Garden Club is holding its Christmas Social at The Blue Ball, Sidford, on Thursday, December 8, 6.30pm for 7pm, �10 per head. Please arrange your own transport and contact Julia Beaman on (01404) 548709 or Lyn Hargood on (01404) 548809 beforehand for more information.

Buckerell’s Christmas Bazaar is from 2-4pm on December 11 in Splathayes. More details from Wendy Wayne on (01404) 850637. The annual Christingle service at St Paul’s is at 4pm on the same day, and the Methodist Church is hosting the “Big Sing” at 6pm, led by the Reverend Terry Harris and supporting Christian Aid.

On Monday, December 12, Honiton’s Nativity Procession, following a donkey, leads off from the Church of The Holy Family at 6pm, finishing at St Paul’s where drinks and mince pies (which the donkey loves!) will be available. Shepherds and angels will be especially welcome to join in !

The Women’s Fellowship meets at the Methodist Church at 2pm on December 13 and at 7pm in St Paul’s the Community College are holding their Carol Service.

Mill Water School’s Carol Service is on December 16 in St Paul’s at 10.30am.

On Saturday, December 17, members of The Evangelical Congregational Church will be singing carols in Lace Walk, from 11am.

The Sheldon Singers have their 25th anniversary Concert in St Paul’s at 7pm. Tickets are available from Wine World, or from any of the singers or on the door. This promises to be a very special occasion with a first performance of a work by David Ogden, written especially for the choir.

The Methodist Church Carol Service is at 10.30am on the 18th. Combe Raleigh’s Village Hall Christmas Tea is at 4pm, and their Carol Service is at 6pm. The Evangelical Congregational Church also has a Carol Service at 6pm, Candlelit and followed by mince pies and refreshments. Awliscombe’s Carol Service is at 7pm.

St Paul’s has a Nativity Fun Day for all children who would like to join in on Wednesday 21st, in the Mackarness Hall from 10-3pm, Tickets in advance, �2.50 from the Parish Office (01404) 44035 or Rose on 41616 to include snacks and activities, please bring your own packed lunch.

Combe Raleigh’s Children’s Nativity is at 2.30pm in the church. More details from Rosemary, (01404) 47156. Buckerell’s Carol Service is at 6.30pm, find out more from the Churchwardens.And Gittisham’s Carol Service with mulled wine and mince pies is at 7pm.

For all details of services on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, please see the separate display in the paper