THERE was a wealth of talent on show at Callow End's carol concert last Friday night, now well established as an annual event.

There were well-known carols and songs in which the audience would join, interspersed with seasonal readings from people from the community - young and old - and special musical items. The choir, especially formed for the event three weeks ago under the direction of Tom Wells, numbered 30, half of whom were young people. They were accompanied on piano by Tom Wells and David Allen, and by a string quartet including violins and cello and a flautist. Special items from the choir included Joy to the World, John Rutter's Shepherd's Pipe Carol, The Angel Gabriel and Torches. There were duets and solos from Derek Stokes, John Willis and Stephanie Preece and Stephen Watkins. Rachel Phelps sang In The Bleak Mid-Winter, and the youngest soloist was Hannah Whittle-Williams with When Santa Got Stuck. There were poems read: Our nativity Play (read by Meg Allsopp), Memories of a childhood Christmas by Kate Philips (read by Cathy Wells), an extract from Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, about Christmas was read by Digby Wood; Kate Philip's poem about Winter floods was read by Jo Wood, and Audra Allard gave her thoughts on the meaning of Christmas. Laurie Lee's account of carol singing from Cider with Rosie was superbly read by Lucy Phelps; A Christmas Legend was read by Stephen Watkins and a dramatic story of the dormouse family at Christmas was presented by Peggy Wilkinson. The Junior Choir sang Walking In The Air. The choir sang a modern carol Spaceman Carol, with young soloists Jessica Cook, Ellie Clark, Jenny Young, Stephanie Preece and Cathy Wells, and the choir also led the singing of the Callow Carol written by Catherine Moody of Malvern. Two new arrangements of carols were performed one Tom Wells' arrangement of O Little Town and Thomas Cole's arrangement of O little one Sweet, with solo from Jessica Cook and accompaniment by Annette Webster on flute.

Powick Handbell Ringers Gill Hunt, Julia Page, Ann Leeming, Lynn Nichol and Debbie Steel played a medley of carols to usher in refreshments of punch, fruit juice and mince pies, served by members of the hall committee. The evening ended with a final reading of Sleigh Bells, an extract from Christmas at School by Miss Read, read by Rosemary Wells. A retiring collection was made for hall funds in appreciation of a superb evening's entertainment in the Christmas spirit.

Callow End Primary School ended the Christmas term with a Christingle service in St James' Church. No fewer than ten carols and Christmas songs, reflecting candlelight, star light and Jesus' birth were sung, with accompaniments by recorders and cornets. The origin of the Christingle orange was described and its significance today in raising money for the Children's Society. For some children, Christmas is not a joyful time but often one of loneliness and sadness as illustrated in Mandy's Story des-cribed by three of the children the Children's Society uses its funds to Light a Life of children who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Class One illustrated in dance, music and song the symbolism of light. Class Two recited their own poem Candlelight and sang Stars Were Gleaming. After the children's prayers, and whilst the choir sang Mary's Lullaby, the Christingle candles were lit. Following the service, mince pies and mulled wine were served in the school hall.