COME and sing Carols. Not a concert, not a service, but a wonderful participatory event of musicians and singers, chiefly yourselves! A large crowd came along to listen to the Malvern Chase Brass Band, and to join in with well known carols. Players and singers were able to recharge halfway through with tea and coffee and a hot berry drink, and much thanks go to Lynne Parish who organised this, and to her helpers. A number of members of the congregation gave mince pies and cakes and biscuits, which all contributed to the warmth and conviviality of the occasion. A big thank you also to the Malvern Chase Brass Band under their conductor Gavin Arnett. The band’s charity this year is Malvern Special families, and we have been able to donate over £100 to them, as well as to much needed church funds.

Parish Lunches. Please note that there will be no parish lunch in January. These will resume on the first Friday in February. Again we thank Lynne Parish who provides these. They are good occasions and Lynne’s home- made soups are delicious.

Organists It is very good to welcome back James Godfrey who is to play for Christ Church during his college vacations. We are also delighted that Sheila Griffiths is to return to play for us regularly on the fourth and fifth Sundays of the month. Colin Roy, Charles Pavey and Brian Willis are accomplished organists who also play regularly for us.

It is now two years since Peter Furber retired and together we have kept the church going with a regular pattern of worship and many social events. A lot of people have contributed to this, but we especially owe a lot to our apparently tireless Churchwarden, Pat Parks, ably assisted by her fellow Warden, Ken Johnson. However, as someone pointed out to me, it is not entirely true to say we have no Vicar. We have a great team of Vicars: that is to say retired clergy and Readers who come regularly to take our services and are much appreciated by the congregation. They have brought great blessings to us and we thank them all.

We are delighted that the Civic Society is to meet regularly in Christ Church. We have a large space in our beautiful Grade 2 Listed church, with great acoustics, and hope that more groups will be able to make use of it.

JILL BUDD.