On Wednesday, November 28, despite the awful weather, the greyness and the gloom, there was a bright and cheery atmosphere inside the YFC Hall in Cresselly as the Christmas Coffee Morning got under way. The hall had been transformed the afternoon before and this large room had had a Christmas makeover.

As anticipated, people blew in early out of the wind and rain to admire the enticing array of edible and non-edible goods to purchase. Many of the helpers dressed in festive jumpers to choose homemade cakes, mince pies and desserts, chutneys, jams and pickles - many packaged in gift boxes and small baskets as gifts for Christmas. There was a tombola and a fancy goods stall, which glittered with eye-catching gift ideas. Of course the raffles were popular as always.

Resting weary feet, friends caught up with each other over a cup of coffee, sausage rolls and mince pies. After this the eagerly awaited raffles were called by Maurice Cole, taking control of a noisy crowd! In the first raffle there were prizes of wine, chocolates, toiletries, biscuits, a meat voucher and the more unusual: a bee and inscect house, a Welsh doll, a cushion and a blanket scarf gift set. Lucky winners were Jane Shipp, Mary Harris, Barbara Bob, Christine Phillips, Brand Harris, Sue Brodie, Jeanette John, Marjorie Davies, Sue and Ken Welis, Ivy Webb, Paula Ralph, Dorothy Griffiths, Dilys Thomas, Enid Jones, Eileen Phillips and Dorothy.

In?carol and Janet’s raffle a hamper was won by Sarah Richards; Christmas cake by Sharon Brown; toiletries by Helen Parnell; pickle basket by Liana Mason; box of biscuits by Ellie Mathias, and Quality Street by Paul Ralph. Thank you to Paula Ralph also for the lovely Christmas cake.

When the money was totalled for the morning it came to £1,213.85.

There are many people to thank for helping to make this amount: the men the afternoon before and on the morning for their strength in moving and placing tables and chairs aroundthe hall; the workers on the stalls and in the kitchen, but most of all the people who came along and joined in the fun and continue to support the work of Cancer Research.

Not long after this event, a Christmas carol service was held at Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, to support the work of the local committee for Cancer Research (Carew and Cresswell Quay being responsible for both events).

Each year this beautiful little chapel tucked away in a little piece of rural tranquility is skilfully decorated by Roberta and her helpers and looks magical as candle light glows from the inside. Robert Scourfield presides over the evenings and has done so for many years, giving it just the right amount of solemnity and thoughtfulness as wel as being full of Christmas cheer. This year the starts-in were the female harmony sisters, normally a trio but this time just two of them. They sang carols and songs with infinite sweetness and it was uplifting. A collection was taken for Cancer Research, amounting to £205.70. This from a small audience was indeed magnificent.

A lovely non-alcoholic warm punch and mince pies and sausage rolls were served afterwards. Once again very grateful thanks to Robert, to Roberta and all who helped prepare and organise this special event, also to Kath Johnson - car park duty is not something to look forward to in bleak conditions.

As the year comes to an end, we look back with fondness at the many fund raising events where people have come together to try to find an answer in supporting this cause, and hoping that it can be through continued research a better future for people and their loved ones who are going through bad times with this awful disease.

The commitee has sadly after many, many years said goodbye to its treasurer, who has retired for personal reasons, but will continue hopefully as a group to work for this charity in the future months.

With grateful thanks again for the support given, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Jean Jaques