Carol Service at EST Ivybridge

The yearly carol service was held at the EST Centre in Ivybridge on Wednesday 7th December 2011. Numbers are never known until the actual date and as previous years it was another bumper attendance, with many having to stand, as there were not enough chairs. It is held in the indoor arena which is very festive with a huge Christmas tree and all the other Christmas decorations, as this is where all the Christmas parties for the schools are held and where the children come and meet Father Christmas in his little grotto.

The local Vicar Chris Osborne took charge of the proceedings and children from Yealmpstone Farm Primary School sang carols. Children from Gooswell Primary School provided the nativity and there was music from the Salvation Army Band. Mary arrived into the arena on Boomer, the centre’s very stage struck and limelight loving donkey who loves to be centre attention.

I have to say the highlight of the evening was when the Vicar asked one of the little Shepherds, who was riding the donkey, the reply came “Olivia”. It took quite a few more questions to eventually get the little Shepherd to give the correct answer of course being “Mary”.

There was mulled and mince pies to add to the festivities and a good evening was had by all – Christmas had begun.

I did take a few photographs with my little camera, but I am afraid it is not very good in dim lighting.