Under the benign gaze of the striking 19th century frieze of angels, illustrating the Six Days of Creation, the Rye Singers performed to an appreciative congregation during a candlelit Christmas carol service at St. Mary’s, East Guldeford, last Sunday. Their selection of carols, some offering a modern interpretation of traditional numbers, was well received, among them, a particularly impressive "Holly and the Ivy".
While the congregation joined in from the cosy box pews, the Rev. Ruth Gostelow directed proceedings from the double-decker pulpit. Given that access to the church was only achieved via the crossing of a waterlogged field, it was little surprise that muddy wellies were the chosen footwear for many, among them, the gentleman who took the first reading.
