Concentrate, concentrate!

Today was the big Christmas market in Hexham plus the Christmas fayre in the Abbey and Santa in the Methodist church hall. There were about 80 stalls in the main street, some of which were threatening to blow over in the high winds.

Inside the Abbey it was warmer and calmer. The stalls were much the same as usual, with tempting things to buy. Both town and abbey folk are agog with the news that the rector, Graham Usher, is moving up the ecclesiastical ladder sooner rather than later. He will be Bishop of Dudley next spring. We all thought he would move on, but not until the big project to provide a visitor centre for the Abbey is completed. Graham is a brilliant project manager and knows how to apply successfully for funding. Remember his name in 15 years time - I'm tipping him for a top job.

Back outside and the Morris dancers and then the Hexhamshire lasses were entertaining the crowds. I tried to focus in on some detail and liked the expression I caught on this dancer's face.