The Parish Church of St George the Martyr, Waterlooville

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Film Club: Tamara Drewe Nov. 2012

I found it hard to like almost anyone in this tale of an “ugly duckling made good” returning to her childhood home. After pausing to become engaged to a rockstar, and “borrow” the husband whose long suffering wife was one of the few really nice characters in this film, Tamara Drewe finished up with her childhood sweetheart - poor chap!

When the errant husband got killed in an accident with some cows and a dog, his wife finally found some well deserved happiness with a visiting writer.

Race Night

On Saturday 24th November we held a Race Night in aid of Naomi House Children’s Hospice.

Our six horses were lined up on the stage and moved according to the throws of two dice, cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd.

It seemed whichever horse I decided to bet on immediately began a “run to rule” - all except “Rhyme Time” which I “owned”. This romped home and won me a bottle of champagne!

At half time we enjoyed jacket potatoes and chilli - hot, mild or vegetarian, and choc ices to finish. Including a raffle we raised £1,008 for Naomi House.

Christmas Bazaar

St George’s held its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 1st December. There were stalls selling bric-a-brac, books, cakes, gifts, plants and toys, a large tombola, chocolate tombola, games “to guess”, brunches, teas and coffees and a grand raffle.

A total of £1,375 was raised for Church funds.

Christmas Services

The candlelit Advent Carol Service consisted of carols, organ music, and beautifully sung choral pieces, interspersed with readings, followed by refreshments.

At the Memorial Service, lovely, quiet and very moving, the names of the departed were read and we lit candles in their memory. Edwards Funeral Directors had provided for us again a Memorial Tree and also served refreshments after the service.

We gathered in Waterlooville Precinct on a damp, grey Saturday morning together with other local churches to sing carols and hear readings and prayers.

At the Christmas Carol Service we again sang carols and listened to the beautiful Christmas readings, before heading to the Church hall for hot punch and mince pies.

The Children’s Nativity Play was on the Sunday morning before Christmas, and the Christingle Service and Midnight Mass completed the services leading up to Christmas Day.

Pantomime - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

This year we made our own way, by bus or car, to the King’s Theatre, Southsea.

There was great excitement and quite a bit of audience participation as the Pantomime followed its traditional story.

Both children and adults enjoyed the atmosphere and fun of the afternoon’s entertainment.

Film Club: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel January 2013

This beautifully written film was about seven assorted “senior citizens” relocating to an Indian hotel, run by the ever optimistic Sunny.

Escaping England for various reasons they found their hotel not quite as expected but all but one adjusted, in their own ways, to their new life.

The young proprietor finally standing up to his mother, won the girl of his dreams, and the hotel’s future was ensured by the expertise of one of the guests.

A few sad moments, a lot of funny ones, and all in all a rather brilliant film which we all enjoyed immensely.

Janet Johnson

Winter Edition 2013

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