Carol Singing Round the Village Christmas Tree
Friday 8 December, Almshouses Lawn

Eventually, the string of brand new Christmas tree lights were coaxed into life when our Guests of Honour, the celebrated Starbuck Family, placed their chilly of hands on the cold switch and eased down the plunger.

There was a tense delay as the power struggled to scorch its way through frozen cables to ignite a kaleidoscope of bright and cheerful colour. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the dark tree was transformed into a painter’s palette of cheerful dabs. These unprecedented illuminations brought a warm smile to cold faces on a bitterly brittle night. Special thanks to Cllr. Beryl Toon for lighting up the occasion with a blaze of new lights. We are grateful to Beryl for her efforts in securing a sizeable grant from the supportive ESBC.

With nightfall, the icy fingers of winter took hold and steadily tightened its grip. In the crystal air, halos formed around flickering torches, lanterns and ingenious candle bags. Steadily, a fine film of treacherous ice gradually coated exposed surfaces with layers of frost. The groundsheet covering the bandstand had to be removed at the last minute; its slippery surface more suited to the artistry of Torville & Dean. Beautifully tailored thick overcoats insulated a dozen hardy musicians from the bite of frosted seats. On such a night, it takes a special kind of person to blow into a cold brass instrument while sat outside. We are so very grateful to Burton Salvation Army Brass Band, under bandmaster Peter Dukes, for adding our event, yet again, to their long list of Christmas engagements. Their superb music-making certainly put the icing on our Christmas cake. This year, £379.57 was collected for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Thanks to all for helping to make a difference.

With the weather preparing for snow-making duties (transforming the village into a Christmas card scene over the weekend) conditions were ideal for setting up. So far, we have been lucky in not having to activate Plan B by seeking shelter inside St Mary’s Church. Our master of ceremonies, the illuminated Reverend Ian Whitehead, burned brightly at the centre of this chilly encampment; a warming, welcoming presence at the core of this special occasion.

Thank you to all who wrapped up warm came outside and braved the cold in order to join in the singing of Carols Around the Christmas Tree. Never before has Beryl’s marvellous mulled wine been so appreciated. Thanks to all who played a part in RoDSEC’s third Christmas tree event. We are grateful to Simon Richardson and the Almshouses Charity Trustees for use of the premises, and Rolleston Parish Council for providing the Christmas tree. Special thanks to the Committee and crew of talented volunteers who laboured long in the staging of this Christmas Special.

RoDSEC is planning to do it again on Friday 7th December 2018. We hope to see you there.

Here are a selection of photographs kindly provided by John Wyers of Alderbrook Close.

Go to  Village Grapevine

Last updated: 20 February 2018