CAROL singing: Will be outside ASDA on Wednesday, December 20, beginning at 7.30pm.

Sally Heather, from the Church of Christ the King, and Trevor Woodget, from the Baptist Church in Gershwin Road, will take the lead.

Everyone is welcome to join in. Mince pies and coffee will be served afterwards at the Church of Christ the King.

MANOR Field Junior School: I was pleased to receive a report from Lucy Bellwood and Laurel Johnstone in Year 5, explaining what happened on Victoria Day at Manor Field school.

On Monday, November 20, pupils dressed as Victorian children to help with studying their history topic.

Lucy and Laurel interviewed classmates Andrew and Nina, who spoke about their experiences.

Year 5 classes were arranged with tables in long rows, as in a Victorian class.

On the wall was a big picture of the Queen, because this was considered essential.

Children used black slates (chalkboards) with chalk for writing. When they were writing neatly, pupils used pen and ink.

Sometimes boys left the class to learn woodwork and girls learned sewing in class.

Andrew and Nina were worried because they did not know what to expect, but they soon began to find the day exciting, active and fun.

Andrew would not have liked being a Victorian school boy, who could have been caned.

Victorian children learned the three "Rs" and they did drill, which was a form of PE. They enjoyed skipping, playing with hoops and dancing.