The Christmas services at St Peter's Church start with the Christingle Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4pm. The "Midnight Mass" is at 10pm - it's midnight in Bethlehem!

On Christmas Day there is one service only. This is a family service at 11am.

CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

THOSE who do not live within the conservation area may be aware that Maldon District Council has produced a detailed appraisal of the area together with comments on every house within its boundary.

The closing date for public comment is December 31.

The Goldhanger History Group has gone through the appraisal and in great detail drawn up a highly considered reply on its contents.

It has also summarised its comments with the intention of circularising every house in the conservation area to assist anyone wishing to comment to Maldon Council personally.

This document is available to anyone else in the village. For a copy, please phone David Newman on 788657. Alternatively, you may e-mail me at jandachristy@ f2s.com and I will send an electronic copy.

WOODLAND WORK PARTY

JUST the thing to work off festive excesses - the parish council is organising a work party in the new Hall Farm woodland. Please meet in the village hall car park at 10am on Friday December 28.

Spare indigenous trees to plant would also be most welcome.

CHRISTMAS WISHES

HAPPY Christmas and New Year to all who read my contributions in this section.