After enjoying delicious (free!) hot dogs – thank you, team – everybody trooped outside into the darkened churchyard. Steve started the countdown: “10, 9, 8, …” and precisely on zero Kevin’s grand daughter Annie threw the switch and the Christmas tree lit up in a blaze of light.
Tim, on accordion, and Helen organised carols followed by Jingle Bells and Rudolph, and Steve extemporised a blessing based on the last verse of Away in a Manger: “Bless us all, children and adults, in your tender care, and fit us for life on earth and in heaven to live with you always.” Or words to that effect, anyway.
Back indoors it was time for (free!) mince pies and mulled wine.
Thank you to everybody who helped to organise and run this excellent village event, enjoyed by all.
Special thanks to Richard Hawkins for the Christmas tree, KPS for setting it up, and Lindfield Parish Council for funds towards the event. Thank you Jasmine for the photos.