It was wonderful to see so many people join us for Carols under the Old Oak Tree on Saturday evening.
If you missed in, you can watch the livestream on our YouTube channel, or click below.
St Catherines 0-5s
Thursday 18th December was a sad day for those at 0-5s, because it was the last Thursday session and the organisers said goodbye to all their childminder friends and their children.
When the group started back in 1993 at the Cornwell Centre, it was only on Thursdays, but it grew to Tuesdays too.
When it re-started after lock-down, it was divided the two sessions to create Covid-safe ‘bubbles’ and Thursdays was for childminders only.
Whilst the move to St Catherine’s Church Hall last year gained extra helpers, the three main people responsible for running the group needed to cut back on what they do – hence stopping Thursdays.
However the plan is to continue the Tuesday families group, which restarts on January 6th 2026.
Carols under the Old Oak Tree – 20th Dec
Please join us for our popular outdoors Carol Singing on Saturday 20th December at 6pm
Meet under the Old Oak Tree outside St Catherine’s Church to sing along with our music group to well known carols.
Bring the family, wrap up warm, and bring a torch to see the carol sheets and a mug for hot chocolate and refreshments.
Café Siena – Christmas Closure
Café Siena closes for it’s Christmas break on Friday 12th December and reopens on Thursday 8th January.
We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
Carols by Candlelight – Sunday 14th Dec
Please join us for our Carols by Candlelight service on Sunday evening – 14th December at 7pm.
Familiar carols, readings and a short talk followed by mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.
Children’s Society – Thank You
A huge thank you – To everyone who helped to make our Christingle at St Cat’s Lite so enjoyable and successful. £123.60 was collected to support the work of the Children’s Society with vulnerable children and young people.
Friday Friends Programme – December ’25 & January ’26
Friday Friends meets from 2.00 – 4.00pm every Friday, price £3.50 (carers free), offering a mix of talks, light exercise, singing together, table top games or craft activities in a safe, warm and friendly environment – with tea and cakes.
Friday Friends will not meet over Christmas and New Year – i.e. it doesn’t meet on December 26th and January 2nd. Be aware that Café Siena is also closed on December 18th.
See below for details of the program for December ’25 & January ’26.
| December | 5th | Cards & Games |
| 12th | Christmas Craft with Madeline | |
| 19th | Carols & Readings with Tony | |
| 26th | CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS | |
| January | 2nd | CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR |
| 9th | Cards & Games | |
| 16th | Seated Exercises with Juliet | |
| 23rd | VE Day with Terry Dixon | |
| 30th | Quiz with Sue |
Christingle at St Cat’s Lite – Saturday 6th Dec
Celebrate Christingle at our next ‘St Cat’s Lite’ service on Saturday 6th December, starting at 3:30pm.
St Cat’s Lite is a fun, informal, all-age service. While open to anyone of any age, it’s especially popular with children & families.
Children will be given a Christingle (which is an orange, red ribbon, 4 sticks with sweets and fruit and a candle) and we use it to explain the Christmas message.
We’re also raising money for the Children’s Society to help disadvantaged children.
We finish with refreshments.
St. Cat’s Lite usually takes place at St Catherine’s on the first Saturday of the month, starting at 3:30pm.
Everyone is very welcome at this or any of our activities.
Christmas Fair – Saturday 22nd Nov
A reminder that it’s our Christmas Fair this coming Saturday – 22nd November. Doors open at 2pm.
Come to see loads of stalls, gifts, games and refreshments.
Shoebox Sunday – Results
Thank you to everyone who contributed to Operation Christmas Child collection this year. On ‘Shoebox Sunday’, we collected Shoeboxes filled with Christmas Gifts for children around the world who may not get anything else at Christmas.
At the service we learnt more about Operation Christmas Child and what happens to your shoeboxes as they are sent off.
We collected over 50 Shoeboxes, two large bags of knitted hats, and we know some of you also donated ‘virtual’ shoeboxes on-line.
Here’s some images of what happened to those Shoeboxes after the service …
If you didn’t manage to pack a physical shoebox, you can ‘pack’ a virtual Shoebox online at: https://shoeboxonline.samaritans-purse.org.uk/ . We know that some of you have already done that !
St Catherine's 