December news from Know Your Neighbours

Hello One and All,

So - we are almost there! At the end of another year, and looking forward to welcoming the third decade of the 21st century! (Do you feel really old now)?

We will kick off with the results of this morning’s draw of our 100 Club.

We were playing with 58 numbers, giving £144 to the Seal Village Fund and a first prize of

£96 to number 26 L.Bain

£48 to number.36 J.Scarlett

As always, if you would like to join this 100 Club, please e mail me and I will get you the joining instructions, or you can pick some up from our Christmas lights Switch On Party tomorrow.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of you who turned out last Saturday, to help decorate the village with lights in the High Street, The Green, Zambra Way, Church Street and Bentleys Bungalows. It was a great turnout, and what a lovely atmosphere. So many people meeting each other, and coming together to beautify our village for Christmas!

Another massive thank you goes to Ashley, from Birch’s Cafe, who donated bacon sandwiches for all our helpers. Not a mean feat, as this year, there were at least 30 helpers! Thank you Ashley - hugely appreciated! By the way - just heard news of your future plans - we all wish you the best of luck, but you will certainly be missed in this village! 

Whilst we are talking generosity, the team of ladies co-ordinating the British Legion Poppy Appeal in Seal this year, would like to report a taking of £1335.24 this year. That is an amazing amount compared to previous years. Thank you Seal! They would like to hand over this job to someone else next year. Is there anyone in the community who would be able to take it on? 

PLEASE REMEMBER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS TABLE DECORATION TONIGHT AT SEAL CHURCH HALL AT 7.30 WITH CHRIS AND MAGGIE, in aid of Seal Church. Please call chris on 01732 763585 to book your place. All equipment supplied, have a glass of wine and a mince pie for just £20.

TOMORROW WE HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN THE VILLAGE HALL FROM 2.30pm - 5pm. This is a free party with a great local magician to entertain you all. Anybody of any age, who lives, works or plays in seal is welcome! The entertainer will be present from 3-4pm, then santa will pay a visit and help us to turn on the lights at 4.30 after a light tea. We just ask you to bring a small plate of food to share. We shall come back into the hall for a few traditional carols after the lights are on. There will be the opportunity to 'win the gin' by rolling any pound coins you may have about your person, and the closest after 10 minutes will 'win the gin'. Also a pound coin raffle to win half the proceeds so please bring plenty of pound coins with you if you wish to take part!


NEXT WEEKEND WE HAVE OUR CHRISTINGLE SERVICE AT ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH AT 10.00 am ON SUNDAY 15th DECEMBER, followed by a cake stall and Christmas gift stall at 11.30am. All welcome,


THE CAROL SERVICE AT ST PETER AND ST PAUL TAKES PLACE AT 6.30pm on SUNDAY 22nd. Please join us for this beautiful service and stay for a glass of wine and mince pies.


THEN, AS ALWAYS, AT 4pm ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WE HAVE OUR EVER POPULAR, CRIB SERVICE. Children of all ages (1-99) love this celebration, where the nativity crib is built up throughout the service. Please join us! Midnight Mass starts at 11.30pm (with carols from the choir from 11pm), and the Christmas Day Communion service, with a story in place of a sermon, is at 10 am.

Without wishing to sound like THE GRINCH, the lights come down on Saturday January 4th. We will, of course need our willing volunteers (and anybody else we can drag along), to assist with taking them down and boxing up for next year.
There will, of course, be an incentive by way of bacon sarnies, to encourage the crowds back. Please, if you can, join us at 9.30 outside Seal Village Hall to remove and get together after for brunch and maybe a pint!

Sorry to break the magic!

That pretty much brings us to a close on 2019, but we are already hearing of planned events for 2020!

On Saturday January 25th, there will be a Scottish themed Beetle Drive in honour of Robbie Burns. BYO  DRINKS AND SNACKS. SOME NIBBLES WILL BE PROVIDED.£5 a ticket. This will take place in the Church Hall at 7.30pm. Please call Jill to book your tickets on 01732 762803. Proceeds to Seal Church.

On Saturday March 14th, Frances Fish is holding a Quiz night in the Village Hall, to raise set up costs for Seal’s next Garden Safari on June 14th! LOOK OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Meanwhile, have a very Happy Christmas and enjoy your New Year celebrations, and we look forward to welcoming many of you to the events above,and meeting lots of new people, both at these and throughout 2020!

Very Best Wishes,

Marion on behalf of Seal Know Your Neighbours.