visited and wonderful hospitality was provided
at each one. The sight of the accompanist, our
very own Doctor John Sargent with his piano
accordion, being fed with sloe gin whilst playing
Silent Night was a sight to behold.
The singers then visited the church where more
carols were sung, this time accompanied by
John on the organ and Sam Booth on the cello,
giving a wonderful mellow sound to the music.
The children in the group then sang Away in a
manger around the crib and were then given a
Christmas tree decoration made from olive
wood in the Holy Land.
The evening concluded at the English Partridge
where a wonderful spread was provided to
refresh the carollers. Whilst everyone was
enjoying good food, good drink and the good
company of village friends, who should arrive to
join the festive fun but Father Christmas
himself, bringing gifts for the children and good
wishes to all.
In remembering the spirit of goodwill at
Christmas a retiring collection was made at the
Church and the sum of £176.00 was raised and
given to Christian Kitchen, a charity run by the
Churches in Alresford and the Salvation Army
to provide food for the homeless in Winchester.
Thank you to all those who took part, especially
those providing the hospitality and those who
organised the evening, which was greatly
enjoyed by all.
Bob Ellis
FIRST WORLD
WAR
2014 will mark the centenary of the start of
the First World War.
Bighton Church is unusual in the fact that the
War Memorial lists not only those who gave
their lives during the war but also all those
from the village who served.
A small group would like to mark the
centenary by looking into the history of the
village at this time with special reference to
the men and their families: where did they
live, what did they do in the village, how old
were they, where did they serve and what
did they do on their return?
This could perhaps lead to some
descendents of these people being invited to
join us in November 2018 to mark the end of
the war and remember those who took part.
It could perhaps also lead to the history of
Gundleton which was the home of exservice families, and perhaps some of your
property deeds may contain reference to
these homes being established.
If you are related to, or could provide
information on any of the men listed, we
would be pleased to hear from you.
Initial contact to Bob Ellis or Colin Squibb
please.
1914 – 1918
Those who died:
G. Burgess died 1916, E. Whatley died
1917, D. Norgate died 1918
Those who returned:
J. Appleton, R. Appleton, C. Bartlett, H.
Bray, C. Burgess, H. Butler, J. Childs, H.
Crouch, A. Dickson, W. Doel, A. Dudman, E.
Dudman, J. Escudier, W.Gregory, W. Griffin,
F. Hanning Lee, V. Hanning Lee, F. Harfield,
G. Harfield, W. Hebberd, C. Hill, C. Jackson,
L. Jackson, T. Jeavons, R. Kirby, E. Knight,
W. Knight, H. Langridge, E. Moon, F.
Newman, K. Nicholl, A. Roberts, A. Ruffell,
W. Ruffell, J. Simmons, G. Smith, W. Tibble,
G. Vaine, A. Watts, H. Watts, H. Watts, F.
Whatley, W. Whitmarsh.
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