Christmas is coming, and the carol services and nativity plays are in abundance. RGS The Grange did not disappoint, with two delightful examples this last week. The tiny tots were a pleasure to watch and with some participants as young as two, it was an amazing production. Years three and four put on a very professional show, and their delight in performing was a treat to watch.

Worcester District Scouts, together with some very proud parents, filled the Cathedral for their Christmas carol service. The readings were so well delivered, and the carols took us through the Christmas story. In parallel they were supporting the homeless, by collecting a large quantity of warm garments for distribution in St Pauls Hostel and Magg’s Day Centre.

To see how trade was developing in the run-up to Christmas, we took a tour of some independent retailers. Whilst business was under pressure from national chains and the internet, they seemed to be doing ok. Talking to Rick Knowles of Knowles’s Sport, a long standing family business, it was clear that the benefits of buying face to face with a retailer are greater than the online option, which focuses just on price and convenience. Advice and guidance, along with the option to try out products, adds considerable value.

The same could be said of New England Country Store, a lovely shop with a Christmas grotto on the first floor giving the opportunity to touch, feel and see Christmas decorations and accessories in a homely setting. It was here I discovered the upside down Christmas tree and although I’m a bit of a conventional person, I thought these looked very good and, in some circumstances, better than the usual orientation!!

The two and a half hours I spent one evening dressed as Father Christmas and being towed in a “Sleigh” around the streets, proved to be very worthwhile. It was nice and warm inside Santa’s outfit, together with the wig, beard and hat, and the children loved it – together with some quite enthusiastic mums and dads too! This was a “Lions” event to raise money for those less well off, and it proved very successful.

The production of Dr. Faustus at the Sixth Form College was amazing! A very difficult script in some long pieces, delivered faultlessly. How they remembered it all is beyond me. The lead boy and lead girl were outstanding, in fact all the cast were, and I gather they only started rehearsals in September. A brilliant effort – I congratulate them on a first class production.