CHRISTMAS BISH-BASH 2012.


SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2012

The weather was kind to us on this occasion unlike previous events! We did have a good feeling about this party and we were not disappointed.

Sunday morning the committee arrived at the pub at 9am to fix the fairy lights to 'Laurie's tree' and to provide some light for the carol singing. Bill generously provided bacon rolls and coffee to help us on our way ...a much appreciated extra to the proceedings. The Santa's Grotto was ready to put into position outside The Three Horseshoes, having had a major makeover from being a cattle trailer into a really professional Grotto with fairy lights, (thanks to Sue and Zoltan) and metres and metres of red, white and green felt plus all sorts of trinkets from Pound Land! Ali had a rather smart Santa's outfit and Debbie, Steph and Becky were ready and able Elves for the evening. 4pm, 10 Christmas stalls were open for business inside the pub, John was up and running with his roasted chestnuts, Lee, Andy and Jo were off and offering scrumptious hamburgers, hot dogs and bacon rolls. (All donated by Bill and Linda, thank you).

It was great to see so many people at the event, particularly when the Carnival Club provided superb entertainment for the Santa Walk with the children. Ready to go at 5.30pm, their float and music lit up the pub car park and helped to create a real Christmas
atmosphere. Their costumes were beautiful and it was almost magical to see the float and dancers head off towards the Three Horseshoes with approx. 100 parents and children walking behind. As we turned the corner towards the Grotto, Father Christmas could be seen waving to everyone, it really was quite lovely!

41 children collected a gift from Santa, they then visited Norman and Margaret’s lodge for a bag of sweets and a drink, with both acting as able supporters (thank you for the loan of the Lodge too!) The Carnival club then escorted us all back, safely to the pub. Once back, the carol singing took place outside with 40 people taking part including some of our Bishopstone Singers. Madeline provided the carol sheets to sing under the lighting so ably supplied earlier in the day!

Now to the raffle, thank you so much to all of you that donated such wonderful raffle prizes, a turkey from Jason and Sarah, Champagne from Georgie and Howard and a box of luxury goodies from the Village Hall committee to name a few. Margaret, Madeline and I tried to look as in control as possible drawing the raffle and all prizes were gratefully received apart from the VIP tickets to enter the committee tent at our next event.

What an event, some say our best yet, who knows what the summer will bring but thanks everyone, committee for being great, supporters and helpers along the way and for the continued support of the villagers who come out and make Bishy what it is!