There will be much joy and rejoicing in the bay as it looks as if the work on the 'Capstan' outside the George will soon be completed.

With road closures this week and plenty of activity, we eagerly await the final result. It may be completed in time for Sunday's Lighting of the Christmas Tree. This is preceded by the annual presentation of the West Bay Days awards to local beneficiaries. To discover who they are and how much they have been awarded, come to St. John's Church on Sunday afternoon, December 1, at 3pm. This will be followed by a carol service including singing of the 'Twelve Days' of Christmas, West Bay style. This year the 'five gold rings' have already been claimed by Jackie Savage and her friends.

Jackie is recovering well from her recent fall on the slipway. After the service we all reassemble on Harbour Green for the lighting of the Christmas Tree, followed by seasonal refreshments, just as the sun is finally disappearing from view. All welcome .

On Wednesday, December 11 at 7.30pm, there will be an evening of Christmas music performed by the West Dorset Community Orchestra and Local Vocals.in St. John's Church. There will be seasonal refreshments and a raffle as well as a retiring collection.

Speaking of retiring collections, my wife Christine and I would like to thank all those who came to our celebration 'Song of Praise' at St. John's on Sunday afternoon. A collection raised £140 to be shared between the Churches Together in Bridport and District Youth Worker Project and St. John's Church. We had a memorable weekend and wish to thank everyone who helped in any way to make it so.