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Another long-standing and favourite school tradition is the ‘Stories Round the Christmas Tree’ on Tuesday, December 20. Children return to school in the early evening in cosy pyjamas, carrying pillows and blankets, and settle down around the tree for hot cocoa and Christmas stories by candlelight. It is indeed a magical evening. The school breaks up on Wednesday, December 21, so everyone can prepare for Christmas celebrations with their friends and families. Kiddies concert: Teston & Wateringbury Nursery Group end their term with its ever popular Christmas concert in Wateringbury Village Hall on Wednesday, December 21, for all families and friends of the little ones in the group. For tickets or if you are interested in the pre-school phone Tina Driver on 07805 796353. Sleeping Beauty panto: Rehearsals are well underway for the next Wateringbury Players’ pantomime Sleeping Beauty by Ben Crocker. It will be performed in the village hall on Friday and Saturday January 27-28. All tickets are priced at £10 with a child concession of £5 on Saturday Matinee only. They go on sale on Monday 19 December at both the post office and the Handy Stores. Proceeds to Homeless Care Maidstone and St John the Baptist Church Wateringbury. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Carols: If you love carols why not go to The Good Intent on Tuesday, December 20 at 8pm, and join a sing-along while enjoying a drink? The Farleighs Choir will be there but it is not a concert; they will be leading and encouraging everyone to join in. It is also hoped that some of the Kettle Bridge Concertinas will also be there. Christmas walk: If you like a walk after your Christmas lunch have a look in the latest edition of Lifeline, where you will find a quiz to help you around the village and, who knows, you may find out something you never knew. Christmas services: Christmas/ New Year Services at All Saints Church. Saturday 24th.Christmas Eve. 9-30pm. Christmas Eve Evening Communion. Sunday 25th. Christmas Day. 11am. Traditional Morning Worship. There will, also, be Holy Communion at 8am on Sunday 1st January 2017. Last News.: This will be the last Community News for 2016 but, if you have anything planned, no matter how far in advance, please let me have details as soon as possible. Farmers’ market: Don’t miss this last opportunity before Christmas to buy fresh local produce of all types from the farmers’ market on Saturday, December 17 from 10am-1pm in the High Street. As well as the usual meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and honey, fudge etc, there will be plants and Christmas wreathes; in fact many seasonal items of all types. As usual, the charity refreshment stall will be serving hot rolls and hot drinks. Kenward carol service: Kenward

House carol service will take place in church on Saturday, December 17 at 3pm. All are welcome. If you haven’t yet visited the new cafe and the shop at the Kenward Road site, it is open for snacks and meals, and the shop has a lovely selection of Christmas trees etc. It is open daily on weekdays from 10am-4pm and on Saturday mornings. Decorate the tree: Children are invited to help decorate the church Christmas tree on Saturday, December 17 at 10am. Snacks will be served and there will be Christmas music. Baptist carol service: On Sunday, December 18 at 10.30am, the Baptist carol service will take place at the Baptist church, followed by refreshments. There will be no Baptist service on Christmas Day. Carols and Nativity: On Sunday, December 18, there will be two special services at St Peter and St Paul’s church. At 10am, the Benefice Nativity service will be a lovely occasion for the whole family, as children are invited to wear Nativity fancy dress, and before the service, breakfast will be served from 9.30am. Please join in. The church Carol Service then takes place at 6.30pm, and all are welcome. Yalding School end of term Carol Service takes place on Wednesday, December 21, at 9.30am Village tearooms: The tearooms will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period from December 24-27 inclusive and then open on December 28, 29 and 30 from 10am-2pm. Visit facebook.com/ tearoomsyalding Young footballers’ news: Yalding and Laddingford FC under eights team played a side to which they lost in their first game of the season last weekend. This time, a single goal from Darun saw them win 1-0. Most gratifying was a call from the opposition afterwards Pip may be a golden oldie, but she’s young at heart. The 12-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross is looking for a home where she can have lots of fuss, a nice comfy bed and walks in the woods. Ideally she would need to be with a family where someone is at home for most of the day because she gets bored easily. She enjoys socialising with other praising the manager, Alex, and the club as a whole for sportsmanship and hospitality. The under sevens travelled to Castle Wanderers with a couple of players missing, but new recruit Oscar in their ranks. Four goals from Aiden and one from William saw our boys win 5-2. The under 12s put up a spirited performance to a strong Staplehurst side, before going down 6-0. The under 16s travelled to Kings Hill, severely depleted due to