THE first of The Upper Itchen round of carol services took place in the tiny Church in the Wood at Bramdean Common, near Arlesford.

Nearly 80 people attended the December 6 service and, having made their way down a path lit by flares, were squeezed into the beautifully decorated candlelit church.

Decorators Val Wombell, Annabel Maclaughlan and Maureen Carpenter were in the congregation, some of whom had to sit on the altar step, stand in the aisle or porch, or join in from the churchyard outside.

Mary, Joseph, Jesus, three kings, two shepherds and a couple of sheep took pride of place on the step in front of the altar. They were knitted by trustee Val Wombell, and included home-spun wool from her own sheep.

An unusual feature of the Nativity group was that Jesus was not confined to his manger but could also be placed in the arms of Mary or Joseph.

Rector Graham Bowkett described the origin of each carol and the harmonium was played by David Mortlock, the bandmaster of the Reading Salvation Army Central band who is a great supporter of the Church in the Wood.

Apart from some confusion about whether the starting time was 3pm or 6pm, a hint of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue crept in when David started playing the tune of Silent Night while the congregation tried to sing The First Noel.

The evening ended in the traditional way with the consumption of home-baked mince pies accompanied by mulled wine. The effect of them was enhanced by a light drizzle of rain.

The next service in this church will be Songs of Praise on May 8.