Just a short column this week, with a few notices about events at Christmas. There is the annual Boxing Day race starting at the Swan inn, organised by the Beachcombers association. This year you are invited to get dressed in a costume made of boxes. You can dress as a robot or as any character you like. There is a children’s category and an adult category for the fancy dress prize. Starting at 10.30am from the Swan Inn, teams of two are required, as it’s a three-legged race, and the route is usually through the village past the Ilchester arms and back to the Swan, but anything can happen! Details from the Swan Inn on 01305 871249.

Here is a list of the services taking place in Abbotsbury over the festive period. The service for Christmas Eve midnight communion will take place at St. Nicholas church 11.30p.m., all are welcome. The Christmas day service will take place at 10.30a.m. There will also be a service on New Year’s Eve service at St Catherine’s chapel at 5pm, so please take a torch.

We were treated to some great singing on Friday 16th December as the carol singers made their way around the village. Accompanied by Father Christmas, the singers were raising money for Julia’s house.

Finally, a big thank you to Colin, Veronica and team for the Christmas fun day at the Ilchester Arms on 18th December. I don’t yet have details of the funds raised yet, but I will report on this next week.

That’s it for this week, wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year, enjoy the festivities and let me know about anything you want me to report. Clare.