THE Christmas Concert held last Friday evening showed a wealth of talent across the age groups in the village. The Master of Ceremonies was Bob Fleming who stood in at the last moment because of illness. Bob was once resident in Powick and carried out his duties as compere with great aplomb. Powick Community Choir took pride of place with Tom Wells as conductor and Margaret Roy as pianist, singing Bethlehem Down by Warlock, Gloria by Vivaldi, The Coventry Carol and leading The Callow Carol, music by Tom Wells. The carols were interspersed with readings of passages by TS Elliot, Laurie Lee, Garrison Keillor, Louis McNeice and Stephen Fry read by Kris Quatermass, Maggie Huckfield, Sally Gurney, Mary Ward and Robert Floyd. There were piano solos by young Sarah Jane Jackson and Sam Griffiths while Matthew Gordon gave an excellent performance of Scott Joplin’s rag from The Entertainer. Derek Stokes, who began singing in Powick Church Choir as a boy, beautifully sang O Holy Night. During the interval hot punch and fruit juice were served with an array of mince pies and the raffle was drawn. Powick Hand Bells played a medley of carols to open the second half and the evening ended with Hark the Herald. Proceeds from the evening were for Acorns Hospice.

Last Sunday, at St James’ Church, Callow End, members of Junior Church gave a new slant on preparing for Christmas based on the family experience of buying toys, food and presents while almost forgetting the true meaning of Christmas. Mother was played by Nicola Sandy, father by Sam Lippett, and the children by Keiran Shuard and Simon Lloyd, with the voices of conscience spoken by Richard Birch and Joe Lippett. The younger children re-enacted the nativity scene. Special thanks to Junior Church teachers and to Frances Betts for the carols on computer. The vicar Reverend Sue Irwin had walked to St James’ in the snow to conduct the communion service which followed the children’s performance.

The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas in time for the evening service of carols held at St Peter’s, Powick, last Sunday. But the bell ringers suffered from the snowy weather and were unable to ring and the choir only numbered six but ably led the singing of the eleven carols with Lindall Brown as organist. Reverend Sue Irwin led the service and read the Christmas Gospel while other readings telling the Christmas story were read by Nick Sandy, Kris Quatermass, Peggy Wilkinson, Tom Wells and Jonathan Slade. After the service and while coffee was served the hand bell ringers were in action again playing a medley of carols.

Powick Ramblers met last Wednesday at Lower Broadheath when 26 people walked under the leadership of Garth Lowe. The four mile circular walk was very muddy and as yet the snow had not fallen. Walkers were able to enjoy a Christmas meal at The Bell. The first walk of 2011 will be on Friday, January 7, meeting at the Nelson Inn at Longley Green at 10am for a four mile walk around the area. Garth (available on 01886 833362) will again lead the walk, assuming there are no snow drifts!