Advent Calender

Thursday 13 December
(woops a day late, but got home far too late to post it)

 My Mum is the chairman of Braintree district Council this year, her role is one of attending civic events and representing the council and the people of the district.  She has been very busy opening things, giving speeches and attending all sorts of events.  Last night was her Civic Carol Service.  It was held in Castle Hedingham church, which must be one of the coldest churches in Braintree.  Thick fog all the way there, 20 mile drive along the A12 and then some very narrow county lanes, thank goodness it cleared by the time we left.
I was allocated a seat in the front row, next to the Christmas tree, and everytime I moved the whole tree shook!

This event was attended by all the "important" people of Braintree and Essex!
Lots of chairman and mayors of different councils all wearing their chains of office (you could almost hear them all rattling!)  The leader of Essex County Council, the MP and a lady in a very impressive hat. She is the High Sherrif of Essex.  I had to look this up when I got home, but it would seem that this is a royal appointment and her role is to be present when royals visit the county, support the judges, police and charities.

The collection was in aid of the charitees that Mum has chosen to support this year: AlcoHELP, Safer places and the Scouts.  Representatives of these groups read the lessons.

It was all quite rousing with all the usual familiar carols, I am not sure why anyone needed the words!  Once in Royal David's City. It came upon the midnight clear. Silent Night. O little town of Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing. In the bleak mid-winter. The first Nowell and finishing with O come all ye faithfully.  Thankfully the vicar was wise enough to zip through it all with out any faffing around. He must know how cold his church is, I did wonder how many layers he had on under his robes!

After we had mince pies, cups of tea and a chance to stand near the radiator!
It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!