CHRISTMAS festivities: Start in Ellisfield on Saturday with the annual Christmas Fair.

As always, a good opportunity to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and some Christmas shopping, all for a good cause, raising money for both St Martin’s Church and the Memorial Hall. There will be lots of opportunities to buy unique items produced in Ellisfield, including cakes and preserves, Christmas decorations and Christmas cards. The tombola table will be laden with prizes and there are marvellous hampers to be won. There’s even a children's corner. Once again, Celia Lunn has made a spectacular Christmas cake and, if you guess the weight correctly, it’s yours!

CONVIVIAL: Jane Rhodes, new manager at The Fox Inn, is keen for the pub to become the heart of the village and to meet locals and customers from further afield.

Last Friday night, regulars were treated to free nibbles and snacks with their drinks. You can be assured of a warm welcome.

SPECTACULAR: Last Saturday night’s concert at Queen Mary’s Hall featuring Army Medical Services Band (V) RMA Sandhurst with local vocalist Teresa Lunn combined a Christmas theme with songs from stage and screen.

Theresa’s last number was Somewhere Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz which she introduced by saying she had recently closed her eyes, clicked her heels and wished herself living back in Ellisfield where she lived as a child. Her dream came true and yesterday she moved back to the village with husband Andy and baby son Oliver.