OUT AND ABOUT: The monthly meeting of the Community Group took place at the Methodist Hall, a wide ranging agenda was discussed including the Friday Close play area and a youth shelter to allay the situation the next meeting is set for Tuesday, January 7.

The funeral took place at Stratford Methodist Church and Oakley Wood on Friday, December 6 of Mr John Faulkner of Marlcliff, a great benefactor in Marlcliff and Bidford giving his time to many local organisations and charities especially the St John's Ambulance. He will be sadly missed.

The Jolly Teapot enjoyed Christmas entertainment and tea at The Nickelodeon at Ashorne and an entertaining afternoon at the weekly meeting when Sylvia May gave a talk on benefits that many senior citizens were entitled to.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL: Winners of the fifth Christmas tree festival in St Laurence's Church are as follows:

Overall winner: Women's Institute - the Greatest Grandma.

Groups/Organisations: 1 WI - The Greatest Grandma, 2 McCarthy-Felton School of Dancing - The Fairy Tree.

Children: 1 Dunnington C of E Primary School - Geometree, 2 Bidford C of E Primary School - Christmas Hearts.

Business: 1 Budgens - Bondi Tree, 2 Rosemary, Hairdresser - The Holly and the Ivy.

Families/Individuals: 1 Hemming and Warwick families - Christmas Past and Present, 2 Yvonne Crane - Winter's rebirth.

Unassisted children: 1 Kate and Matthew Dyde, Lucy and Natalie Price - Doggie World, 2 Nicole and Katie Lester - A Wind in the Willows Christmas.