The final meeting of the year of the Evergreens Club at Trinity Church was a Christmas celebration, with entertainment provided by half of the Mellstock Choir. They sang Christmas songs and carols, many of them associated with Thomas Hardy’s family and neighbourhood, and also read extracts from Hardy’s writings. There were also lively dancing songs that had feet tapping.

In the second half of the afternoon, everyone joined in singing well-loved carols, accompanied on the piano by Sheila. The gathering was completed with party food and a special cake and a secret santa.

Stephanie, a member who died last year, had left a gift to the club, and it was decided to use this to fund this party, which was attended by about fifty members and visitors. Stephanie’s daughter was present to cut the cake.

(The middle image is shown in a cartoon style, to capture the atmosphere while not showing people whose permission I did not ask.)