On Christmas Eve the choir of St Mary Magdalene sang the traditional service of nine lessons and carols directed by director of music Dr Sean Sweeney with his assistant Josh Hughes at the organ. The carol service was led by the rural dean Canon Dr Lynda Barley who welcomed a good congregation to St Mary’s after the processional carol “Once in royal David’s city” in which the soloist was Amber Newton and then led it in prayers.

The first lesson from Genesis was read by town crier and crucifer Rob Tremain and then the choir sang an arrangement of “Adam lay ybounden” by Peter Warlock before the second lesson also from Genesis read by another St Mary’s stalwart Alice Horn.

The choir then sang John Rutter’s catchy version of “I saw three ships” to celebrate his 80th birthday before the mayor, Nicola Gilbert, read the third lesson from Isaiah followed by the congregational carol “O come, all ye faithful” and the fourth lesson also from Isaiah read by the Cornish & Devon Post Editor Zoë Uglow.

Amber Newton and Bernard Pink were the soloists in Harold Darke’s arrangement of “In the bleak midwinter” before Sarah Cooke, a bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, read the fifth lesson from Luke in Cornish followed by the congregational carol “Angels from the realms of glory”.

The choir then sang Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Ding dong merrily on high” before Councillor John Harris from Launceston street pastors read the sixth lesson from Luke and then the choir sang Rutter’s own “Candlelight Carol”.

Yvonne King from Launceston Food Bank read the seventh lesson from Luke before the congregation sang “While shepherds watched their flocks by night” after which

the choir sang William Mathias’ exciting carol “A babe is born” and local worship leader Don Sharpe read the eighth lesson from Matthew.

Dr Sweeney claimed that the choir did not really know the Rutter arrangement of “The 12 days of Christmas” and the congregation was invited to join in wherever “five gold rings” appeared in the carol. The final lesson from John was read by Dr Barley who concluded the service with a short address and closing prayers.

Josh Hughes played a toccata in F major by J S Bach as a recessional and most of the congregation stayed to listen to it Later that evening the choir sang Midnight Mass and the following morning sang a family communion service with the result that not many choristers had much voice to support St Stephens’ patronal festival the following Sunday.

Thirty -three members of the Lezant Lunch Club were welcomed by Ken Scoble at Trebullett Hall on Wednesday, December 10.

Members enjoyed a delicious traditional Christmas dinner of turkey with freshly prepared vegetables and all the trimmings. Afterwards Christmas pudding was served with clotted cream.

The meal was prepared and served by Marilyn Davey, Peter and Helen Judge, Ruth Burden, Irene Nash, Janet Honey, Diana Anderson, Carolyn Reynolds and Julie Dinnis. During coffee, Angela Morrison entertained members with a Christmas quiz followed by carols played by Roger Webster.

The next meal will be held on Wednesday, January 28. The cost to members will be £5 for two courses plus tea or coffee. Phone Ruth on 01566 782286 to book.

THE Boyton village diary for January 2026 is as follows:

Thursday, January 8 - Coffee morning at the church hall 10am (Everyone welcome).

Thursday, January 8 - Mobile library opposite the Methodist Church will be open from 11.50am to 12.10pm.

Monday, January 12 - Boyton Parish Council Meeting at the Church Hall 7.30pm (everyone welcome).

Wednesday, January 14 - Boyton Country-sider’s AGM at the Methodist Church 2pm (everyone welcome). For further details email: [email protected].

Thursday, January 15 - Coffee morning at the Methodist Chapel 10am (everyone welcome).

Thursday, January 15 - Ladies Skittles at the Church Hall 7.30pm.

Wednesday, January 21 - Just for Fun Table Tennis at the Church Hall 7.30pm (everyone welcome).

Thursday, January 22 - Coffee Morning at the Church Hall 10am (everyone welcome).

Sunday, January 25 - Holy Communion at Boyton Parish Church 9.30am (everyone welcome).

Thursday, January 29 - Coffee Morning at the Methodist Chapel 10am (everyone welcome).

Thursday, January 29 - Ladies Skittles at the Church Hall 7.30pm.

A Coffee and Cake morning held in the hall on Friday, December 5, was well attended. The charity for this month was for Diabetes UK and raised £206. This was followed on by A Soup and Sweet Lunch when a profit of £261 was raised for hall funds. Many thanks go to all who supported these events. The next coffee morning will be on February 20.

On Sunday, December 21, a Crib Service held at St Pancras was led by Rev Alison Hardy. Young and older members of the congregation participated in the readings throughout the service which was interspersed with the singing of carols.

The prayers of Intercession was read by Adam Revitt and Barbara Cole was the organist. The church was decorated by the ladies.

People from the local Methodist Churches and friends were pleased to visit some of our Care Homes and Community Groups before Christmas with a Celebration Carol Service.

Led by Rev Tim Wilkinson the Pop Up Choir shared readings, prayers and favourite Carols with the residents and the staff at Appleby Lodge, Addison Park and Chyvarhas Residential and Nursing Homes and also entertained the Callington Memory Cafe at Callington Methodist Church. Thanks to those who took part and the homes and Memory Cafe for the lovely welcome and refreshments.

Callington Toddle In for babies, toddlers and their parents/carers at Callington Methodist Church supported Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day on December 11 and invited the community to join them.

We had a great morning and a total of £68.64 was raised. We meet each Thursday (term time) from 9.30am to 11.30am and will return on Thursday, January 8 - why not Toddle along?

Mary and Joseph were lent to the Callington Section of the South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit by our friends at Saltash Wesley and they have enjoyed travelling around Callington, Stoke Climsland, St Dominick and the Tamar Valley, during Advent, visiting various groups, shops and businesses.

These included: Callington Age UK Lunch Club, Callington Library, Callington Town Hall, Gunnislake Pop In Community Cafe, St Dominick Community Shop and Stoke Climsland Post Office and Stores, Christmas Jumper Day with Callington Toddle In, Delaware Pre-School (where over 100 knitted angels created by the Tamar Valley Knit and Natter group were presented to the children and staff), performing with Open the Book and the Pop Up Choir at Callington Memory Cafe and some of our local care homes, as well as spending time in our churches, managing to find a donkey somewhere along the way.

Thanks to everyone for making them so welcome. If you want to follow the whole journey please visit Callington Methodist Church on Facebook.

On Monday, January 5, at 7.30pm. When the guest speaker will be Jeremy Gist, speaking on the work of 'Soup Run'. Held at Callington Methodist Church, in the Guild room. All are welcome.

The United Service will be held at St Ive Village Hall on Sunday, January 11, starting at 10.39am. Thus will be led by Linda Eastlake.

Tea/Coffee will be served after the service.

All welcome.

Mondays weekly 10am morning prayer.

Sunday, January 11 - Holy Communion at 11am.

Sunday, January 11 - Join St Melor's for Holy Communion at 11am.

There was an attendance at St. Melor's, Linkinhorne of thirty three at 9.30pm. when the Rev Steve Payne administered the communion assisted by Lay Minister, Andrew Doney. The Epistle was read by Rev Steve and the Gospel by Andrew.

There was also a Crib and Christingle service at St Paul's, Upton Cross at 4pm which was well attended and another service of celebration on Christmas Day at 10am

Maxine Browne reports that it was a very happy start to the Advent Season in December with a meal for members at the Rifle Volunteer in St Anne’s and then the Christmas Party when everyone brought food to share and joined in the WI version of Secret Santa.

The next meeting will cover various business matters and will probably discuss the Resolutions the national group introduce for members to select that means the most to them.

The February meeting on Monday, February 9, will be held at the Retreat Centre in Rilla Mill at 2pm which will be an Open Meeting so all will be welcome (fee for non-members £5) when John Killingbeck will be talking about "The Lost Huskies of Antarctica."

For any other information contact the president via [email protected]

The next committee meeting will be held at the hall on Wednesday, January 14, at 7pm.