THE Annual Christmas Fayre took place on Saturday December 5 in the Village Hall between 12midday-2pm. The seasonal refreshments proved very popular as people took the chance to revive themselves with mulled wine and soup, in between browsing and buying from the many stalls selling decorations, cakes, preserves, books and crafts.

The CAMEO Teas Carol Service was held on Wednesday December 9 in St. James’ Church followed by a three course Christmas lunch at the Kings Court Hotel near Alcester. CAMEO Teas (Come And Meet Each Other) is held on the second Wednesday of the month in St James’ Church at 3pm, where tea and cakes are served while everyone catches up with each other. It is a friendly group who are always happy for people to come and join them. If walking to and from the church is a problem, please ring Sophie on 870421 to arrange a lift.

The Harvington Singers Christmas Concert ‘Looking a Lot Like Christmas,’ on Friday December 11 and Saturday December 12, provided a traditional and enjoyable start to the festive season. The programme contained seasonal songs and carols, and the venue, St James’ Church, was decorated throughout with seasonal greenery with festive silver highlights and flickering candlelight. Mulled wine and mince pies provided warming refreshments during the interval.

Harvington Handbell Ringers were out and about in December ringing at Ellenden Tasting Day, the Avoncroft Museum, the Fire Service College in Moreton in Marsh, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, and churches around Evesham, Pershore, Stratford, Alcester and Bretforton. They collected money for their usual charities, Midland Air Ambulance, Warwickshire Air Ambulance and St. James’ Church and this year they collected over £4200 breaking previous records. The Harvington Handbell Team would like to thank everyone for their support this season, wherever you saw them. The team are always happy to have new members, so if you are free between 7.30-9pm on Mondays and are interested then contact Keith Hemming on 07794 559674 or through the website www.harvingtonhandbells.org.uk.

The school performed their play ‘The Christmas Jigsaw’ on twice on both Monday December 14, and Tuesday December 15. All the school took part in singing and acting under Mrs Enstone’s direction. The play followed a group of children putting together a jigsaw on Christmas Eve, and finding out what had happened in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Members of the village community who saw the play on Monday afternoon were impressed by the quality of the performance and the work that had gone into it. There was a collection at the end of each performance for the Midlands Air Ambulance, and the total raised was £232.43.

Advance notice: The St James’ Winter Afternoon Lecture will take place on Saturday February 6 at 3pm in the Village Hall. The speaker will be the ever popular Tim Porter, who will be talking about AEthelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. She was the daughter of King Alfred and was recently described in ‘The Times’ as England’s Warrior Heroine, to find out why come and hear Tim Porter’s talk. Tickets are available from Sue Coley 870204, and usually they sell out fast so an early booking is advisable.

Coming up: The next Men’s Night will be held on January 21 in the Lenches Club, Church Lench at 8.30pm.

Harvington would seem to be a healthy place to live, judging by all the opportunities to exercise each week. Yoga is on offer in the Village Hall on Tuesdays 7-8.30pm. Contact Fiona on 07943 974991. On Wednesday evenings Zumba is available in the School Hall between 7-8pm for £5/session. Contact Chris 07577 078197. And each week there are two chances to exercise with Pilates at the Harvington Churches Pilates, held in Harvington Baptist Church. One session takes place on Wednesday evenings 7.45-8.45pm, the other session runs on Thursday mornings 9.30-10.30am. Contact Michele 07813 084575.

GIL THORNILEY