CHURCH of Christ the King: On November 4, balloons and bunting marked the way to the table-top sale in the church.

Stalls were offering jewellery, books, Christmas cards, cakes and bric-a-brac. There was also a Traidcraft white elephant stall.

The church lounge was pleasantly arranged and included a stall in aid of St Michael's Hospice.

BRIGHTON Hill Community Association: Senior citizens held a Christmas bazaar on November 4.

I tried the tombola and admired the soft toys and knitwear available for children.

One stall offered household items, including scarves and dusters. I also discovered a raffle, a bric-a-brac stall and a cake stall, selling raspberry buns and fairy buns.

HALLOWE'EN: At the end of October, shops were full of strange costumes and displays, marking Hallowe'en.

It worries me that "trick-or-treat" has become too unruly and houses are being targeted by groups wearing masks, ringing doorbells, chattering loudly and making nuisance calls on their telephones.

I gave contributions to one or two groups, but then I had no cash left and I explained this.

Annoyed after persistent aggravation, I shouted, "go away".

I had to repeat myself, but things could have been worse.

However, it was no longer an amusing game. Instead, it was bullying.

Threatening people to gain money is unacceptable.