SPECIAL SERVICES: Two special services over the last two weekends at St James' Church have been well supported by people in the village which has given considerable encouragement to the organisers. The Songs of Praise was devised by Mervyn Huggins and the Christingle Service was re-introduced by the Rev Richard Thorniley a few years ago. Both services gave opportunity for singing and the reading of poetry and appropriate passages from scripture, many being performed by the younger members of the congregation, including the Brownies. The Joyful Noisemakers band included a new version of one of the hymns performed by one of its adult members. Highlight of the Christingle Service was the sight of the younger children standing in the aisle of the darkened church, carefully holding their lighted candles and singing, unaccompanied, Away in a Manger. The Rector's blessing and words of thanks were followed by tea, coffee and biscuits. A reminder was given of the talk on Saturday afternoon, by historian Tim Porter on the subject of New Ways to look at Old Churches. Tickets, priced £5 per head, and inclusive of refreshments, can be obtained from Sue Coley on 870204. The talk is at 3pm and all profits will be donated to the Village Hall Appeal Fund.

VILLAGE PLAN: The Village Plan and Design Statement is now under discussion, with Peter Oliver, husband of Linda (the parish clerk) working hard to assemble his committee and put into operation all the preliminaries needed for the task. On February 25 a drop-in-day will be held at the village hall at which questions can be asked about the scheme and its effect on the future of Harvington. Several nearby villages have already completed and submitted their plans, all impelled by the need to do so before far-reaching changes in planning laws come into being in about three years' time. Mr Oliver will be addressing the village's organisations in the near future, explaining why forethought and action are necessary and what must be done to ensure that Harvington is equipped and ready when the time comes.