Christmas - I know it's too early

[Wales Jay]

By chance I found out last year about a community carol service which takes place on Ger Y Parc somewhere in the vicinity of a "large tree" with lots of mulled wine, minced pies and children running all over the place. What a fabulous community get together. Can we find out more information please ie. is one planned again for this year and, if so, when and where. A brill idea and the community website is the ideal place to advertise it.:)

[Admin]

We went to this last year (despite the light rain) and it was lovely, the kids especially loved it. Shan's friendly with one of the organisers so she's going to speak to them and see if they want to announce it on this website. Watch this space .......

[SallieM]

I went to this last year, it is at Priory Gardens. Until last year we had the same thing at Russet Drive. Alan Morris the previous Mayor used to live on Spartan Close and he organised it. Sadly, he has now moved so it has sort of fizzled out. We used to have someone dressed as Santa and the parents would wrap a present for their child for him to hand out.

I suggest that for Priory Gardens the organisers should ask for donations. The Salvation Army can be invited to play and the donations can be made to them in return. One word of warning though. NCC will need to give permission for the road to be closed off.

I think it is a great idea and it's one of the very few times this community actually do something together.

[GAJ]

Hi All,
I have read this blog and it has made me smile. My name is Gareth Jones and I live at 17 Priory gardens and for the last four years I have held this event on Christmas eve at 6:30 pm on my drive. It started as a bit of a laugh after I had erected a christmas Tree on my drive. what started as a throw away comment and a handful of (less than ten) people around the tree has built up to around 80 people last year.
Its enjoyed by everyone around here as the kids & adults love it and it gets them all excited before they go off to bed. We sing about three traditional carols then we bulid up with rudolph the red nose, santa claus is coming to town and so on. we do about 6-8 songs finishing with we wish you a merry christmas. It really puts everyone in the christmas spirit. I love doing it and try to get as many as possible every year. I have supplied mulled wine and mince pies on a first come first serve basis but last year it cost well over ?80 so I think we need to get some help here for the future ( perhaps a small donation ?2 per adult to help towards the cost and any over going to say langstone school or village hall Ideas welcome).
Please feel free to come along the more the merrier its become a bit of a tradition around here.
Your Ideas on how to improve it would be great I'd love it to be a langstone event I usually play the carols out of my car but with 80 people its getting a bit big.
I'd love to discuss on how we could get maybe council or ward help towards running this and may be get a brass band there, maybe raising money for the village Hall or the school.
Let me know your thoughts.
A carol service organising committee could also be a good Idea.
Thanks again for your interest I truly appreciate it. I never thought it would get such great attention and lovely comments Thank you. i look forward to seeing you this year

[Shan]

Hi Gareth, I'm Shan and I live in Priory Way with Hubby Paul & our two girls. (Behind Claire & Mike/Alison & Chris). We came along last year..it was buzzing for kids and adults alike! As you said a true sense of christmas spirit....we even got to hear about "Santa tracking".....so it extended our evening because when we got home we followed him on 'google' until bedtime!!!!!

I would be happy to help on your "carol service organising committee" with any arrangements for this year's "PRIORY GARDENS CAROL SERVICE".

Is there anyone else that would like to volunteer?, we could meet, (over a cup of tea of course)!!!!, and share ideas.

Our 4 year old has gone to Langstone Primary this year so the idea of fund raising is excellent.
It is such a lovely idea and what this website is all about, a sense of community spirit.

Thanks Gareth, look forward to meeting with you.

Shan :)

[Robin]

Does anyone know of a choir who could sing and raise funds at our Santa Grotto launch night 21st November?

many thanks Robin
01633 413355

Dont tell the children but i am sata by the way!!

[Admin]

Gareth,

Any updates on the carol singing gathering?

[Alan7]

Hi Gareth,

If you drop me a line or email me (I need something in writing) then Langstone community Council would, I'm sure, be more than willing to make a donation to keep this growing community initiative alive & well.

Alan
Chair Langstone Community Council

[GAJ]

Hi Alan
Sorry for not replying sooner life has been a bit hectic the last couple of weeks
but we are still Game on for the carols Christamas eve 6:30pm. Iwill drop you a letter this weekend
sorry again for not getting bac sooner

Speak later

Best regards

Gareth

[Alan7]

Hi Gareth

Your Christmas Carol concert has been discussed by Langstone Community Council & I'm pleased to say that they have agreed to donate ?100.00 towards the cost of running the event this year.

The ONLY condition is that someone passes a bucket around the singers, no not to use as you would imagine, but to collect a suitable donation from everyone towards Langstone Village Hall repair/refurbishment fund.

Lets hope it "Deep & Crisp & Even" on Christmas Eve

Alan
Chair Langstone Community Council

[GAJ]

Alan
Thank you and the Community Council for the donation. It is much appeciated. we will invite the carol singers to donate money in a bucket and give them a glass of mulled wine and mince pie for their (trouble while stocks last).
I hope to see you and your fellow councillor members carol singing with us.
For those wishing to join us with their families please see the attached invite .
Hope to see you there.
Please note we are in a cul de sac and have no provision for car parking if you wish to join us could you please arrive on foot
Thanks
Merry christmas

[SallieM]

Well done Beth and Gareth for taking the time and effort to put on the Priory carols. it's great to see some community spirited residents in Langstone.

If you would like to do someting similar in your area of Langstone next year, the Community Council would love to hear from you. We are eager to support all (voluntary) neigbourhood initiatives and will be pleased to offer any financial assistance we can.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all from all members of Langstone Community Council.

Sallie Mogford
Vice Chair - Langstone Community Council

[GAJ]

HI Guys can you please advertise the carols service Ive added an attachement of the flyer can you work your magic and Ill pop round monday night has any one got a big pan for mulde wine

[Shan]

Another great one!!!!!...., we walked around from Priory Way and our two children thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Thanks to Gareth and Bethan, who made us & the children feel very welcome. I think our eldest thought she was in heaven picking chocolates from the christmas tree!!!!
Really set the scene for a magical time for our two, out with torches...in the dark, fairy lights and christmas carols.
Lets hope this continues every year..(Please Gareth & Bethan?).

Happy New year to you all.;)

[SallieM]

:)

Well done and many thanks Beth and Gareth. Over ?100 was raised from the event so another thank you to all who contributed. The money will go towards part funding the installation of a disabled toilet at the village hall.

Any further contributions to the village hall restoration fund will be most welcome. We have around ?47,000 of repairs and upgrades to the hall so every contribution helps. The hall belongs to the people of Langstone so help us to make it something we can be proud of.

Sallie Mogford
Langstone Village Hall Trustee
Tel 413531

[SallieM]

:)

Just received the money from Beth and Gareth and the total collected is in fact ?175!!!!

A huge thank you to all who contributed.