Bishopstone Christingle 2007

We all headed to St Mary's Church for the Christingle service at 5.30pm. For those who don't know - this is a very special occasion in Bishopstone which just about every child in the village attends. Each year a bunch of the younger children gather in the pub to make the "Christingles" - oranges with 4 cocktail sticks and a candle in. The cocktail sticks have currents and sweets on and the orange is wrapped with a red ribbon.

During the service the candles are lit and the service conducted in the light of candles. Smells of burning sweets permeate the air as the kids gently toast their currents over the candles...

The church was so full this year, there were people standing around the edges and even the choir stalls were filled. A lovely occasion.

Afterwards my family and I headed for Joanna's and Simon's for mulled wine and smoked salmon and back home after to ready ourselves for the approaching Father Christmas. There was much excitement all round.



The nativity scene in the Church. Mabel and Liz put it together this year.