It was very wet under foot when Jeanette and I met with members of the Royal British Legion at Maldon Crematorium on Sunday 23rd December to re-lay the wreath in memory of Private Frederick Corbett; holder of the Victoria Cross. This wreath had originally been laid on behalf of the Town, at my request, by the Deputy Mayor at the Town’s War Memorial on Remembrance Day. As this gentleman has been laid to rest in the Town Cemetery it seems fitting that his wreath should, after an interval of respect, be moved to his graveside.

Thursday 20th Decemebr: Jeanette and I were in the Moot Hall and had the pleasure of presenting Long Service Certificates and Badges to the people of Maldon and Heybridge who have given many decades of service to the British Legion in the fund raising for the Poppy Appeal.

We attended the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Tea Party on Tuesday 18th December, held at the Plume School and hosted by the 6th form students. The pupils not only waited on tables but also provided the seasonal entertainment with the assistance of some of the staff.

Jeanette and I enjoyed being guests of the WRVS at their Christmas Members’ Lunch on Monday 17th December.

The last full Council Meeting of 2012 took place during the evening; I took the opportunity of presenting each of the Councillors with a lapel badge of the Maldon Town Council coat of arms. A small finger buffet reception for the councillors’ partners concluded the evening.

The Maldon United Reform Church held the Town Carol Service on Sunday 16th December, arranged by the Churches Together in Maldon. I was invited to be the first person to light one of the personal memory candles during the service.

Jeanette and I attended the annual Family Christmas Service for the Deaf and Blind in Chelmsford Cathedral on Friday 14th December. The whole of the service was led in sign language with voice-over for the few of us who could hear. I found the service deeply moving. To have such a large building filled to capacity and where the large majority could neither hear nor enjoy the sounds of the organ and singing of the hymns was a sobering experience.

I attended a charity Soup Lunch on Tuesday 11th December, organised by Dianne Rogers in support of the RNLI which was held in the Maldon Little Ship Club on Hythe Quay side. Dianne organises these monthly lunches and everyone enjoyed the homemade soup which was a real treat on a cold day.

On Monday 10th December, Jeanette and I attended the Wentworth Primary School Nativity play. The play called “Hey Ewe” was a great modern presentation of the Nativity story.  We joined the many parents who were enjoying watching their little stars for what was a most enjoyable and memorable afternoon.

On Friday 7th December, I joined members of the Brownie Pack which meets on a Friday evening in the church hall in Victoria Road. They were showing off their new scarves, purchased with a grant from the Town Council. When at District events in their new attire, the leaders would quickly be able to identify members of their pack.