A busy and well attended service which was fortunate to have a number of people who could remember and tell us about the war period and their experiences. Jean remembered being evacuated whilst Betty recounted coming back from holiday to find that war had been declared and the black out had begun. Highlight for many was the Don's story from when he was a prisoner of war in a German camp after being shot down. He recounted how a German guard had come in to take a register wearing a lovely purple cloak - quite a common occurrence to wear cloaks. This guard was new to the job and marched in and put his cloak down in the middle of the room and then proceeded to make his way round the room and register the inmates. Of course when he got back to the spot his cloak was nowhere to be see and after much searching he gave up and had to go. The following morning whilst the Germans had their usual flag raising ceremony the English inmates had a similar event; using the German guards cloak as a flag in this particular morning!
Of course the service also had the two minute silence but it was a nice change to hear first hand people's memories.

A lovely total of seventeen children joined us at the Church this morning to create all the different items that were available. Many took away decorated cards, angels for the Christmas tree and Christmas tree decorations made from bread. Certainly for many it was the first taste of this Christmas with festive music playing and lots of glitter and shiny pompom balls being used.