On the evening of Friday 27th January 2012 the church hall was full when parishioners welcomed and thanked the representatives of the charities which supported St John’s Christmas Tree Festival. More than 90 people gathered together in a very pleasant and sociable occasion.
The event commenced with some well known songs being performed by Julie Ann Bevan and three of her highly 
talented pupils, Harry Gascoigne, Lydia Seed and Laura Bevan. Harry sang “Leaning on a Lamp” and “Flash, Bang, Wallop” and played the lively “Wild Horseman” on the piano. Lydia performed “Oom Pah Pah” and “Honey Bun”, and Laura sand “As Long As He Needs Me”.
talented pupils, Harry Gascoigne, Lydia Seed and Laura Bevan. Harry sang “Leaning on a Lamp” and “Flash, Bang, Wallop” and played the lively “Wild Horseman” on the piano. Lydia performed “Oom Pah Pah” and “Honey Bun”, and Laura sand “As Long As He Needs Me”. 
We then enjoyed a buffet supper which was organised by Joyce Hunt, after which John Feneley, the mastermind behind the Christmas Tree Festival, thanked all the charities and the sponsors for supporting the event. The total amount which was donated to the charities during the Festival was £1260 and in additio
n the sponsors contributed £1404 by paying for all the trees. John also thanked all who supported the Christmas Market which had been organised by Sylvia Kent. The Festival and the Market had been a great success, both financially and in terms of outreach, and John looks forward to the next Festival in December.
The evening concluded with more musical entertainment from Harry, Laura and Lydia, accompanied by Julie Ann. Harry sang “Unlucky Men” and “Nicest Kids in Town” and played “Stroll On”, Lydia performed “I Want To Sing In Opera” and “Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now”, and Laura sang “Someone Like You”.
St John’s thanks John Feneley and all the charities who took part in the Festival. Without John the Festival would not have happened, and without the charities it would have no purpose. We are delighted that so many of them were represented at this Thank You event, and we thank Julie Ann and her three pupils for providing such excellent entertainment.
[Thank you to Stuart for submitting all this as, sadly, I was unable to attend what sounds to have been an enjoyable evening because we were away. This is also the reason for the delay in posting - sorry!]
