DOORSTEP CAROLS

THE ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE EVENT 2020

With Carol Services not on the agenda this pandemic year, we had thought to put alternative plans in place that might bring some cheer to our lovely village community.

Doorstep Carols is an event started by Radio Shropshire in the hope that others across the UK will take part.  It takes place on 16th December at 6pm when we hope all villagers might take to their doorsteps as we did for the weekly NHS clapping but instead carol sheets in hand ready to sing out in the hope that Ridlington’s festive dulcet tones may be heard throughout Rutland!

Sadly, the usual Old Rectory Christmas drinks enjoyed after Carols is not going to be an option this year, so we had thought to put together a hamper or two to raffle off on the night to help raise some much needed funds for our beautiful church.

Under normal circumstances folk would often bring a plate or two of Christmas fayre to be enjoyed alongside the mulled wine so we wondered if any of you would be happy to do the same as a contribution to the hamper.  It doesn’t have to be homemade by any means, but anything that is could be attributed to the donor making it more of a fun, communal effort. Suggestions to get the creative juices flowing might be a pot of Christmas chutney or cake, a festive knitted scarf, something to hang on the tree or a Christmas table decoration.  The Foxes will make a start with a selection of drinks to be enjoyed over the festive season.

If you are able to make a hamper donation we would be very happy to receive them from Thursday 3rd December onwards or collected if necessary. Obviously if they are homemade perishables, delivery would need to be on the day or as near to it as possible.  Raffle tickets need to be sold on the day but obviously due to the social distancing required this will be difficult so our suggestion is that on the day of the Carols payment is posted in an envelope in The Old Rectory letterbox on Main St and we will allocate all donations with the appropriate amount of ticket numbers.

We hugely appreciate any contributions and look forward to sharing an Alternative Christmas village event with you all.

Kind Regards,
Louise Fox , Anne Harvey, Margie Wall
On behalf of the PCC.