On Christmas Eve, children are invited to bring parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts to the Christingle and Crib service in All Saints.

Starting at 4pm, this annual event is a wonderful start to the final countdown to Christmas Day as well as raising money for the work of the Children's Society.

Last year more than 100 families packed into the parish church, contributing a record £187. Taxpayers added a further £42.92 through the Government's Gift Aid scheme, making a grand total donation of £230.

Each youngster receives a decorated orange - signifying the world - topped with a candle representing the coming of Jesus, bringing light and love.

As each Christingle is lit the darkened church fills with light - always a magical moment.

The service is also the time for the children to fill the crib with all the characters who took part in the Nativity.

The building will again take on a warm, candlelit glow for the service to usher in the start of Christmas Day. From 11.15pm, sing carols in readiness for the traditional midnight service to begin at 11.30pm.

On Christmas Day the rector, the Rev Jonathan Pearce, will lead Parish Communion at 10am.

CHRISTMAS POST

You still have time to use the local Scout post.

They have plenty of experience as this is the 26th year that the Scout Post has been licensed to enable funds to be raised for local youth work.

Deliveries are made once or twice weekly by the Wickham Bishops-based 1st Beacon Hill group.

Stamps cost just 15p and are available from local shops and the Swan where there will also be a postbox.

The delivery area is wider than the immediate villages and is listed on the front of the box. For more information, contact Alison on 891701.

GIFTS

If you're still struggling with ideas for Christmas gifts with a difference, here are some possibilities.

To enchant adults and children alike, the six-room Tudor doll's house, hand-crafted by Peter Simpson from Post Office Lane, is for sale at offers around £100. Contact him on 892171.

The book Little Totham - the Story of a Small Village provides a fascinating snapshot of local life seen through the eyes of the people who lived here and their families.

Even if you have only just moved into the area, it will give you an idea of the kind of place you have chosen to settle. Copies, priced at £5.50, are available from Lorna Key (891667) and Vivienne Smith (891660).

Sets of notelets with a painting of All Saints are also available from Vivienne at £4.50 for six.

If you were thinking of giving gifts to members of All Saints, why not contribute towards the cost of removing the rendering instead? They could have a lump of cement as a reminder of your generosity

YOGA

The All Saints Monday night class finished for the holiday on December 10 - lessons resume on January 7.

Run by qualified yoga teacher Marion Pidgeon, the 90-minute sessions are held in the East Essex Scout headquarters opposite Wickham Bishops Tennis Club in Great Totham Road, starting at 8pm.

They are suitable for all ages and all abilities and are ideal for relieving the stress of busy lives.

To find out more check Marion's website, www.maldonyoga.co.uk, e-mail maldonyoga@yahoo.co.uk or simply telephone 852366.

THE SWAN

Christmas meals are now available but please book early. A menu is available.

From December 23 from 4pm, bring your own cheese and the pub will have mulled wine and mince pies. On Christmas Eve from 4pm, Becky and Gavin thank will be thanking their customers with cheese and biscuits. The pub will be open until 1am.

Opening hours on Christmas Day and Boxing Day are noon to 2.30pm. The Swan will be closed all day on December 27. On New Year's Eve, opening times are 11am to 4pm and 8pm till late.

BROOMSTICKS

A New Year party will be held on Thursday January 17, when Kerry Sadler will host a pot-luck gettogether at The Cedars in The Street. Call Vivianne Smith on 891660 for more details.

ALL SAINTS BUS

The door-to-door shopping bus service organised by All Saints is available for anyone from the village, thanks to a rota of volunteer drivers, accompanied by a helper, who pick up passengers between 9.30am and 10am.

If you are a regular passenger who is unable to travel, please notify Gill Wiseman on 891700. If you are a newcomer to the service, please let her know so that the driver knows you need collecting.

A disabled sticker enables the minibus to stop outside Maldon Post Office before going on to Tesco for about an hour.

Volunteer drivers and helpers are always needed, especially for emergency cover. Please let Gill know if you are available. The rota comes round approximately every six weeks.

The All Saints Caring in Little Totham group is also able to help anyone retired needing to attend an appointment with a doctor, dentist or optician or to go to hospital for treatment. Contact Lorna on 891667.