Around 450 villagers joined in Hurst’s St Nicholas Night celebrations in the School Road recreation ground.
They were in good voice. First, they sang Christmas carols and songs, led by Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band.
Then Hurst Parish Council chairman Cllr Wayne Smith led the countdown to the Christmas tree lights switch on by associate priest the Revd Graham Theobald on Sunday.
Mr Theobald wore his full clerical robes as he afterwards headed straight off to Waltham St Lawrence Church to take their evening service. The church there doesn’t have its own vicar at the moment.
Mr Theobald had a busy day: earlier he had taken the service at St Mary’s Church, Winnersh, and then attended the service at St Nicholas Church, Hurst.
Children at the Hurst celebrations enjoyed the novelty of playing on the swings and other playground equipment lit by floodlights and the Christmas tree.
Cllr Smith said: “There’s been a really good turnout of about 450 residents who flocked to celebrate St Nicholas Night despite the weather.”
The rain stopped just before the event, the village’s 19th, started. St Nicholas Day is marked on December 6.
There was mulled wine donated by Richard Hardy of Fig&Fleur, mince pies and Christmas cakes given by Waitrose and goodies bags donated by Chocoholics.
The parish council clerk and councillors organised the evening and the tree was erected by staff of Haines Hill Estate in the village.
