WITH Christmas being only a few days away our meeting took on a slightly different flavour. To begin with we were all treated to warm mince pies with our usual cup of tea.

Then we all moved in to the worship part of the hall with the kind permission of Emmanuel Church Holcombe, where we were entertained with songs and carols by the Veterans Choir.

They began with their signature tune Come Listen to the Choir to the magic of Come Listen to the Band followed by a mixture of songs and carols as follows: Joy to the World, While Shepherds Watched, Away in a Manger, Speed your Journey (from Nabucco), Silent Night, Cum by Yar, Once in Royal Davids City, Sweet Chiming Bells. At which point a rather flustered lady arrived and sat down at the electric piano apparently having been lost on the way here.

Like all good troupers the show continued with Jingle Bells, White Christmas, The Rose, Good King Wenceslas, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, In a Monastery Garden (with bird effects), Oh Come all ye Faithful and ended with We wish you a Merry Christmas.

A jolly good show. Each piece was accompanied by a joke from the compare Mr S. Forshaw, the best one probably being about The Young man and the Octopus.

Jack Kenneford gave the vote of thanks and wished us all a Merry Christmas.

The next meeting will be on January 5, when Peter Watson will speak on Life in the Workhouse.

If anyone wishes to get in touch with the Veterans Choir, please ring Mr S. Forshaw on 0161 764 7304.