Hello everyone!
I just wanted to say something about our first attempt at Carolling this year.
First of all, huge thanks to Kathy our accordion player and to John and Adèle without whose support this would have been a non-starter.
Sadly, due to very bad weather, we had to cancel our main event – singing through Smallridge accompanied by Santa and his helpers (thanks Santa – you know who you are!).
However we still managed to raise £87 for Axminster Hospital League of Friends on our second night in Knights Lane, thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of all who gathered at Bev and Jim’s place (many thanks!). More mulled wine 🙂
I had always seen this first year as an experiment really, to see what and how to do it, where to go and when. Also to be honest, to find out if indeed there was any interest in us starting a ‘Dickensian’ style tradition of carolling through the parish.
Well it seems very much as though there is!
I’ve learned also, that in order to combat the vagaries of the weather, we need to be nimble and flexible – so next year we will earmark a whole week and pick the best nights depending on the weather – as to cancel was heartbreaking!
The intention is still to do two or three nights, throughout the parish and anyone is welcome to join us – we will have several caps, top-hats, bowlers and bonnets, shawls and cloaks and lanterns to lend if you can’t manage something of your own!
So Happy New Year to all and here’s to a successful Carolling in 2026 and beyond!
Richard Greaves