It was really lovely to see our parish church so well attended by more than 60 persons when we held our Christingle Service on Sunday December 2.

The Christingle Service is held every year and the children are given an orange with a candle and sweets to represent a symbol of Christmas light. We sing carols and the children all enjoy this annual celebration.

Some of our children were also able to visit the church in the morning, to help decorate the large Christmas tree in preparation for this Christmas season.

Our many thanks to all who attended this special service and helped raise £132 which goes to the Children's Society.

EVERGREENS

MEMBERS arrived to a bright and festive atmosphere at the village hall when they attended the Annual Christmas Lunch on Monday December 3. At this year's lunch, the Evergreens celebrated their 21st birthday and a lovely card was presented by one of our members and passed among everyone.

We all enjoyed a marvellous three-course meal which was followed by entertainment that was good fun, with music and songs and also a few risqué jokes!

The afternoon ended with mince pies, Christmas cake and beverages and a really great raffle was drawn.

We even had a special guest to our celebrations who presented each member with a Christmas pressie!

Many heartfelt thanks go to Pearla and Jean who work so hard throughout the year and to the helpers who worked hard in the kitchen and served us with the delicious lunch.

The club has always been very popular during its 21 years, with wonderful members who join us each month from the surrounding villages. If you wish to join Evergreens, telephone Pearla on 772728 or come along to any of our meetings, on the first Monday of each month at 2pm.

The next meeting will be on January 7, so until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

DENGIE TAI CHI CLUB

THE Dengie Tai Chi Club is opening a new beginner class that will start on Friday January 4 2008 at Steeple village hall from 3.30pm until 5.30pm.

The club began with a class at St Lawrence Church Centre on November 7 and is held every Wednesday from 2pm until 4.45pm. This class has proved to be very successful with both new and old "tai chi-ers" attending.

Several studies have shown that tai chi helps people to improve or maintain strength, joint flexibility and balance.

In addition, tai chi is gentle and low-impact and is ideally suited for people with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It also promotes a sense of wellbeing and relaxation that everyone can find helpful.

Anyone is welcome to come to either class - just turn up on the day wearing comfortable clothes and flat shoes and join us for a healthy, fun and relaxing session every week.

For any further information, please telephone Dengie Tai Chi Club on 741461.

VILLAGE HALL TRUST

MEMBERS of the Village Hall Trust met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday December 5.

Among matters discussed was the successful Christmas Bazaar.

Winners of the December 100 Club were: 1 I Burton, 2 P Roe, 3 R Davies, 4 A Evans.

CAROL SINGING

TO raise money for charity, there will be carol-singing at the Star on Friday December 21, around 7pm to 7.30pm. Come along and exercise those lungs in a good cause.

Finally I would like to wish all my readers a very happy Christmas and all my best wishes for the New Year.