THE first half of December has as usual been a very busy time for Guild members. The first event was the monthly meeting, chaired by Caroline Brocksom.

After the formal business, members were able to indulge in an excellent supper and browse the varied stalls, where many a Christmas gift was purchased – also Verbena Greenough and Roz Merritt showed how to create one’s own personal swag for the front door.

However, the highlight of the evening was the singing of the Ali Baba barbershop group, whose voices filled the hall with seasonal music.

The meeting was followed the next day by the traditional Christmas walk from St Thomas’s Church, where Margaret Parks, with help from others, had set up a Nativity scene as part of the church’s Christmas Tree Festival.

The walk went via the Cathedral and the Christmas market to the Red Lion for tea.

The Guild has also been well-represented at the National Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, followed by lunch in the crypt of the church.

This left a free afternoon when members either went to the theatre or browsed the London shops. A week later, and slightly nearer home, was the Federation Carol Service at Hythe, where Gio Portnall read a lesson.

Finally, almost everyone attended the excellent seasonal lunch at the Rose & Crown Hotel – leaving the rest of the month to catch up on the rest of one’s life!

The next meeting of the Guild will be on Thursday, January 8 at 7.15pm in Roman Road Methodist Lounge.

This is the annual members’ evening, and this year the theme will be “The Good Old Days”. Members are asked to wear a long skirt and a hat to help create the atmosphere.

New members and visitors are welcome, or call Chris on 01722 331275 for more information.