Hemyock

Anyone interested in joining a casual walking group?  A small group of older people meet once a month on a Sunday morning, and usually drive to a pub, walk for about 2 hours (4 to 5 miles) and end up back at the pub for lunch.

It's that time of year again, Christmas, it is a nice time of year, but they come around too quickly.  First I should thank all those who turned out and helped with the Big Litter Pick, across the whole District there where 28 Parishes that took part during the Autumn, increasing every year, out of 48 Parishes. What is noticeable is that not so much rubbish is being picked up, I think that the majority of our Community is being more careful in dropping rubbish. Unfortunately, there is a few that are not so careful, thanks must go to all those who do clear up behind the more careless. We will have another clear up in the Spring.

This year's Christmas Fayre will take place on Saturday 6th December, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm in the Parish Hall.

For many years now the Christmas period at St Mary's has been marked by the erection of a lighted star on top of the tower. This year it will not appear.

The last two meetings - October and November had slightly different formats from our usual meetings. October had apples, a jigsaw, and homemade cake. November had a quiz on sweets and parkin.

For me, 'Silent Night' is perhaps the most evocative of all the Christmas Carols.  There are others of course, but they are mostly 'busy' carols, echoing the world as it runs helter skelter through the festive season. And those bright and busy carols are the ones that we will have heard a hundred times in shops and in the media in the run up to Christmas Day - along with the Christmas songs that today's children often confuse with carols. I like 'Silent Night' because it grounds us - it brings us back to the truth of what Christmas Day is all about.

A reminder that it is not too late to order a copy of "The Pilgrim's Guide To Devon's Churches", a book outlining the Church of England churches in Devon, all 627 of them. It is due to be published in late October. It will cost £7.99. St Mary's will be having a supply available on publication, and if you would like to reserve a copy (or two or three) then please contact the PCC secretary.