THE Loyal Vacation Lodge no.6209 held a carol service and three-course Christmas meal at the lodge in station road, Wiveliscombe on Saturday December 13.

More than 70 people attended of which a significant number were members of the local community, in addition to lodge members and their families.

A carol service was presided over by Rev Jamie Fox of St Andrew’s Church with carols played by the lodge band.

Money raised during the evening was split between charity funds and the lodge building fund.

Loyal Vacation will be holding a New Year’s Eve celebration and other events in the new year including a folk music night and murder mystery evening.

All events can be booked by visiting website 6209.co.uk

Fundraising for charity and engagement with the local community are key aspects of the lodge’s work.

A SHORT but joyful service has been held in Hemyock Parish Church organised by the leaders of the younger sections of 1st Hemyock Scout Group.

Led by Becky Doble, a member of the church lay team, 115 people attended, four well-loved carols were sung, prayers were read by the children, and awards presented.

The Cubs Silver Chief Scout Award was given to Grace, Max, Martha, Josh and Klarabella.

The Beavers Bronze Chief Scout Award was presented to Seb and Eloise.

The service ended with the singing of ‘The first Day of Christmas’ with cubs and beavers leading the actions, followed by ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

Squash and biscuits were served by a member of the Friends of St Mary’s Church.

A Christmas tree festival will be held in St Mary’s from December 12 to 14, arranged by the Friends of St Mary’s.

It will be open from 10.30 am to 6 pm on Friday, 10.30 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and during the afternoon until 5 pm on Sunday.

There will be 25 trees decorated by local organisations and groups, and refreshments will be served throughout.

There will also be a concert given by Blackdown Acapella on the Saturday evening at 7 pm.

Entry to the festival is free of charge and all donations will go to the Friends of St Mary’s toward the maintenance and special projects at the church.

A HUGE variety of decorations could be found among the 25 Christmas trees in Hemyock Parish Church at the festival organised by the Friends of St Mary’s.

The tree festival and church decorations were co-ordinated by member Monica Smith and the trees supplied by Connetts Farm, including the main church one reaching about 18 feet high alongside the pulpit.

Local organisations from charities, businesses, and clubs had been invited to take the opportunity to dress a tree to be part of the village festive celebrations, which drew numerous crowds who were also able to enjoy refreshments.

Displays entitled ‘The Corner Shop’ through to ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’, ‘The Heart of the Blackdowns’, ‘Sometimes Less is More’, ‘Aladdin and The Tree of Surplus and Sharing’ ensured there was something to attract everybody.

The pre-school and primary school had both decorated a tree and it was a delight to welcome three classes and staff who came to view all the different displays.

Younger folk were also represented by the scout group and youth group, while at the other end of ages veterans were remembered through the Royal British Legion tree.

Visitors voted that The Poppy Group tree was the favourite in the festival.

It included various handicrafts with an offer to make blankets for anybody in need - while the tree for Christian Response to Eastern Europe included knitted trauma toys and hearts to be sent to Moldova and Ukraine, plus much dimmer lights which occasionally paused to represent power cuts in Ukraine.

Windows were filled with evergreen displays and wreaths hung from the gallery.

An evening concert by Blackdown Acapella was greatly enjoyed with songs including ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Coventry Carol’, and ‘Thank you for the Music’, with much hilarity when the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ involved audience participation.

Mulled wine, mince pies, and shortbread were served as the traditional refreshments.

The Friends of St Mary’s would like to thank especially Monica and Stewart Smith, everybody who helped with the decorations and served refreshments, and all who came along to enjoy the event.

THE December meeting of the Wellington & District Townswomen’s Guild, held at Lodge Close Hall on December 8, began on a very sad note as chairman Joyce Jones told members the news of the death of Janet Bull, a longstanding member and stalwart of the committee.

A minute’s silence was observed in tribute to Janet, whose friendship will be very much missed.

The business part of the meeting was then conducted, the minutes of the last meeting were read, and details were confirmed of the New Year lunch, to take place in January.

The special guest this month was Helen Hill, who read out a seasonal poem by Pam Ayres, and then, as a trained florist, gave an entertaining demonstration of how to make a beautiful Christmas wreath, using greenery foraged from garden and hedgerow, and additions such as pine cones, dried orange slices and ribbons.

No doubt she inspired many members to try their hand at making their own wreath for their front doors.

Pat Cosh then led a session of playing-card bingo with sweet treats for prizes, and then teas and coffees with mince pies and clotted cream were served, before the Secret Santa presents were distributed to all.

Helen Hill’s accomplished piano-playing then accompanied a game of ‘pass the parcel’, which caused much merriment.

Lastly, the afternoon drew to a close with the raffle being drawn, and members were reminded that the next meeting would be the New Year lunch at Lodge Close on Monday, January 12, at the earlier time of 12 pm.

NYNEHEAD Memorial Club will be hosting a skittles evening on Saturday, January 17.

Children play free between 4pm and 6pm with a prize for all participating kids.

Adults pay £5. Cash prizes for first, second and third place.

Three hands for 100 per cent payout

Papavero’s pizzas will be available. Raffle to be drawn in the evening.

THIS December, local artists Alex Williams and Caroline Merrett are bringing something truly special to Wellington.

The pair will be running a festive ‘Pop-Up Shop and Gallery’ dedicated to celebrating the talent, originality, and craftsmanship of the community’s makers and artists.

Hoping to create a vibrant space where creativity feels accessible to all, Alex and Caroline are transforming the pop-up shop on Fore Street into a warm, welcoming hub for art-lovers, gift-seekers, and anyone looking to embrace the festive spirit in a more meaningful way.

The pop-up will showcase a curated selection of work by local artists, designers, and independent craftspeople, offering unique and handmade pieces perfect for thoughtful Christmas giving.

From ceramics and textiles, to prints and illustration, visitors can expect a diverse range of high-quality creations that support local livelihoods.

But the event is more than a place to shop — it's an opportunity to get hands-on.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the duo will be hosting a series of creative workshops, inviting people of all ages and abilities to explore new skills.

Whether you’re interested in crafting your own decorations, a mindful break from the festive rush or simply looking for a fun and festive activity to enjoy with friends or family, from foliage centrepieces and mindful drawing, to sewn fabric decorations.

The workshops are all suitable for beginners and promise an uplifting and inspiring experience.

Alex and Caroline, said: “We wanted to create something that brings people together,”

“The pop-up shop is the perfect venue for our programme of evening workshops for adults and after school drop in workshops.”

The Hello! Studio pop-up shop and gallery will run until December 21, offering a relaxed, community-focused alternative to the usual Christmas rush.

It’s the perfect place to discover one-of-a-kind gifts, meet the artists behind the work, and feel connected to the creativity happening in Wellington.

Information on workshop bookings can be found on Alex’s website, www.alexwilliamsillustration.co.uk

A YEAR 10 pupil from Wellington School will be staring in an upcoming film titled ‘Rule, Britannia’.

The official trailer has just been released, marking an exciting milestone for what promises to be a powerful and thought-provoking production.

Rule, Britannia tells the sea-bound story of nationalism, survival, and the radical act of empathy, a narrative that explores human connection and courage in the face of division.

This collaboration not only amplifies the film’s message of compassion and understanding, but also shines a spotlight on the power of storytelling to inspire change.

A spokesperson for Wellington School, said: “We are incredibly proud of Tom for his hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing his performance when Rule, Britannia is released.”