Carols on The Green

The traditional Bearsted "Carols on The Green" took place last night, marking for me the beginning of the Christmas period. We've been for the last few years and it has always been a lovely moment in the rush to Christmas. Three years ago the service took place between Dad's death and his funeral so it is always a time to remember Dad. There was also a reading at that service which we used in his funeral service in Shropshire in the midst of that bitterly cold December of 2010.

Tonight was wet and windy and we were surprised that the service was held outdoors as the leaflet said that in the case of bad weather we would repair to Holy Cross Church - which was where we went first anticipating matters.

But no, they were all down on the Green with the wind gusting the umbrellas all over the place and the rain lashing down bouncing off the caps of the Salvation Army. Despite all this, there was a good crowd and a very pleasant evening all around.