Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[deb]

20This year's get to gether will be Saturday 19th December at 6.30. Although Pete has now moved away, Hugh Hill has kindly agreed to take the service and is hoping to have live music too! The successful format will continue with the usual free mulled wine or orange juice with a mince pie around the fire and at the same venue, the Village Green on Long Leys Road front (through the lych gate in front on the three storey houses). A small torch or lantern will help you read the carol sheets!
Look forward to joining again what has become a good crowd of well wishers. (in this context a happy singer!!)

[deb]

The forecast is dry and with a spattering of snow on the ground could be our first very festive looking 'Carols on the Green' though the usual lanterns and fire pit and the generosity of lighting from the houses will be there. Last year many people felt compelled to give donations though this is, as ever, a free event but this year, for the first time, it has been funded by part of Helen Heath's ward budget. If however you would like to make any donation the funds will go to the Parkinsons Disease Society. If you'd like to donate but cannot make it please contact Ian Clarkson at iggylin@hotmail.com.

Look forward to seeing old and new faces at 6.30!!

[deb]

Grand turn out again - must've been at least 70 and we drained all 5 litres of mulled wine and ate all but two pies! Thanks to Hugh and to his guitarist who nearly froze his fingers off and of course the lovely family who allow us to plug into their power every year, also Gary and John for help with setting up and dismantling. Although it was all free people donated again and we have £34.05 to hand over to the Parkinsons Disease Society. Thanks to all for that too and offers of help and the good wishes expressed by everyone.

[john shipton]

The scene was set last Saturday evening for the Carol Service on the Village Green. One of the Christmas carol's sung was " In the bleak mid-winter" while the frost was on the ground and breaths could be seen coming from the mouths who came. The atmosphere was wintry but the mulled wine and mince pies would warm the cockle of the hearts later. It even tried to snow during the service.
People, young and old, mothers with their buggies and prams, and residents from the Long Leys Road area, came together to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Folk from the Thomas Cooper Memorial Church led the worship. There were members of the Lincoln Christian Fellowship taking part too. But it was Hugh, a retired minister from TCM, who gave the address. He is local and lives with his dear wife called Joyce in our area. His message gave the real meaning of what Christmas is about going beyond the tinsel, presents, and the christmas tree.
It is thanks to Deborah, who with her organisational skills, put the Carol Service together. Every else fell into place. Thanks to Gary as chairman of the LLRA and its committee for distributing the Carol Service flyer.
With the open fire blazing away in the large metal urn; with the lanterns scattered around the table, people bringing lanterns and torches, and the wintry setting, made it a Carol Service to remember. The only people missing, together with a stable and a manger, was Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Now that would be something whereby they were visited by local shepherds who were watching their sheep by night, the three Wise Men from the East who followed the bright Star and found to be shining over Bethlehem, and those who came to see Jesus lying in a manger.
What would you have given Him if you paid the Lord Jesus a visit in those days? I gave Him my heart!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2010.

[JT]

Dear Deb
Thanks for taking the initiative and organising the carol service. It was really great - the atmosphere was friendly. We had a good time and a good sing! thanks too to everyone who helped in any way.

John and Barbara