On Sunday 17th December members of the Revel Churches assembled at Saint Edith’s Church in Monks Kirby for the annual Carols by Candlelight service conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Christine Garrod assisted by the Reverend Beth Smith and Reader, Mr. George Lee.
This is now widely regarded as the highpoint of the church calendar and never fails to fill the church to capacity for the traditional order of nine lessons and carols.
Music was provided by the greatly popular Bilton Silver Band directed by Mr. Brian Clarke who takes much pride in the membership of this talented group of musicians which includes instrumentalists spanning three generations. The congregation was delighted at the participation of nine year old budding timpanist Jack Fisher who accompanied the band which included his parents and sister in their encore rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ while those from Pailton were proud to recognise Mark Latham of Rugby Road amongst the wind section.
The lessons were read by members of each of the Revel churches for which Mrs Ruth Bilson had been chosen to represent Saint Denis Church Pailton.
A welcome feature of this year’s service was a most impressive recital of hand-bell ringers at the commencement of the programme introduced by Tony Gillias of Pailton, who is a long-seasoned bellringer at St. Edith’s church and who explained the intricacies of this ancient and fascinating tradition.
After the service the large congregation were invited to enjoy refreshments provided by the Friends of St. Edith’s church.
On Sunday 17th December Pailton Branch of Nuneaton Conservative Association held their traditional mince pie and mulled wine event at Pailton House Gardens generously hosted by Paul and Ann Davey and organised by acting branch chairholder Kay Pechal assisted by Joanna Morris-Jones who arranged the grand raffle.
Members and supporters gathered from surrounding areas also from Nuneaton and Rugby for what was the final event by Pailton Branch before being transferred on 1st January next year from the Nuneaton Parliamentary constituency to the newly formed Rugby constituency. The rearrangement of the constituencies by the Boundary Commission will have the effect of reuniting the rural areas with Rugby reversing an earlier reorganisation which attached them to Nuneaton over 20 years ago.
Many members present could remember the earlier affiliation with much nostalgia and resolved to participate with full commitment to what will be a newly formed sixth parliamentary constituency in Warwickshire centred upon Rugby. The chairmen of both constituencies were present and urged all members to take an active interest in the forthcoming selection procedure for a prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the new Rugby constituency.
The pre-Christmas week will follow the usual frenetic pattern with much partying and joviality throughout our very sociable community. Much credit should be extended to all villagers who have decorated their houses so thoughtfully, not least on the Coventry Road approach all with the evident intention of enjoying a very merry Christmas leading to a happy New Year.