Father Christmas at Silchester children's Christmas party

Father Christmas proved the very welcome special guest at the Silchester Association organised, children's Christmas party in Silchester Village Hall on Saturday.
Youngsters from the village enjoyed a party tea with games, music, face painting and various artistic activities, before Father Christmas turned up with presents.
The following day (Sunday Dec 2) a large crowd gathered for an open-air Christmas market and the lighting-up of the village Christmas tree next to the Calleva Arms pub. Musical entertainment was provided by local band Frottage, and Silchester Primary School pupils, under the direction of Kate Barrett, along with musicians from Tadley Concert Brass, who supported carol singing and played traditional, seasonal tunes.
“The countdown for the tree switch-on was led by the Rev Ken Batt and succeeded at the third attempt,” said villager, Pete Hughes.
A Christingle service was also held at St Mary the Virgin Church at 3.30pm on Sunday December 9.
Photographs Pete Hughes