CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 

Lucky old Santa supported by Jackie and Nicky
This December we, once again, worked closely with our friends from the Stubbington Traders Association to provide a very special introduction to the Christmas period. The Lights around the Green were erected as usual at the beginning of December and above some of the shops surrounding the Green there are mini Christmas Trees.   

 

 Then, on Saturday 10th December

We gathered for our "Carols around the Christmas Tree" which involved the whole community. Stubbington Traders, Crofton Lions and Holy Rood Church all combined forces for this event. On a 'Countdown' led by the Rev. Stephen Girling the Lights on the Tree were switched on by Cllr Trevor Cartwright MBE, Mayor of Fareham and that was followed by a programme of traditional carols and Christmas Songs led by members of the Hampshire Police Choir, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.  

Kate Macfarlane, Curate of Holy Rood, took us through the Christmas Story in words and music with readings by Louisa Baldwin of the 2nd Stubbington Guides, Hill Head Councillor Arthur Mandry, our local M.P. Caroline Dineage and Tony Stabler of the Crofton Lions. Stalls were set up around the village centre serving Mulled Wine (Hot Chocolate and Squash for the children), plus Mince Pies and Hot Chestnuts!  And the evening ended with the arrival of Father Christmas on his Sleigh handing out bags of golden sweets courtesy of the Stubbington Traders!   

It was very successful event!

Friends Jackie and Nicky helped us tremendously, and added a touch of glamour to Santa's Sleigh

None of these Christmas activities would have been possible without the tremendous support of the 'Friends of Crofton Lions' including Jill Chambers and older members of the Stubbington Guides, Sharon from Carisbrooke Pre School, and a wonderful bunch of new friends introduced to us by Vicky Stabler and Alison Sales (Who has recently been inducted as a full member of the Lions Club). We wish to publicly thank them all for so generously giving us their time during this busy season of the year. 

A VISIT FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS

Every December (weather permitting) we try to visit most parts of the Village with our Sleigh meeting children (of all ages) and collecting donations to use for our charitable activities. However, Crofton Ward (Stubbington, HillHead and Peel Common) is too large to cover fully in the time available so we may not be able to come down your street. BUT we will be somewhere nearby so listen for those jingle bells! We will also be visiting both Junior and Infant Schools (Your children will tell you when!), plus Santa and the Lions will be on the Village Green for a couple of hours starting around 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday 

A LETTER FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS

Every Christmas we provide a very special service for children (of all ages). If you would like a personal letter from the North Pole simply eMail SantaCrofton@aol.com giving details of who you are, where you live (including a postcode), what you would like for Christmas, and anything else you would like to share with the Big Man himself.

 

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REMEMBER:                                                      

Your letters willbe passed to Father Christmas by the Crofton Lions Club if you write to him at SantaCrofton@aol.com
Remember to give details of who you are, where you live (including a postcode), what you would like for Christmas, and anything else you want to share with Santa and his helpers.

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CHRISTMAS PAST

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN THE VILLAGE

During December 2010 we, once again, worked closely with our friends from the Stubbington Traders Association to provide a very special introduction to the Christmas period. The Lights around the Green were erected as usual at the beginning of December and and the mini Christmas Trees were above the shops surrounding the Green. Then, on Saturday 11th December our "Carols around the Christmas Tree" took place and involved the whole community. Stubbington Traders, Crofton Lions and Holy Rood Church all combined forces for Carol Singing on the Green. The Lights were switched on by Cllr Brian Bayford, Mayor of Fareham and this was followed by a programme of traditional carols and Christmas Songs was led by members of the Hampshire Police Choir, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.  Kate Macfarlane, Curate of Holy Rood, took us through the Christmas Story in words and music with readings by Girl Guide Rebecca Chambers, Hill Head Councollor Arthur Mandry, Police Sergeant Amanda Wilson, our local M.P. Caroline Dineage and Crofton Lion Mike Shipply. Stalls were set up around the village centre serving Mulled Wine (Hot Chocolate and Squash for the children), plus Mince Pies and Hot Chestnuts!  That part of the evening finished with the arrival of Father Christmas on his Sleigh in a flurry of snow!.

Santa with two of several hundred children who came to the Carol Service last year.

Then at 7.30 p.m. back in the Church we had a Concert by the Hampshire Police Band. in aid of the Mayor's Charity. Have no doubt, Saturday 11th December 2010 was a very special day in the lead up to Christmas. We then took our Sleigh on a number of expeditions around the area to let local children meet Father Christmas! We also paid special visits to Crofton Anne Dale Infants,Crofton Hammond Infants, and by special request to a Grotto at the St.John the Baptist School on Titchfield Common. In addition we made a number of street visits with our Sleigh and a visit with Father Christmas to the Childrens Library in Stubbington on 23rd December.2010.

During the 2008 festivities Lion President Lisa Pitt introduced another very special project. Read on........ 

CROFTON LIONS CHRISTMAS LIST (WITH A TWIST!)

Crofton Lions Club added an interesting "extra" to their Christmas activities in 2008. Lion President Lisa Pitt explained that she wanted the Club to create a "Christmas Gift List". But this was a list with a twist! Instead of a letter listing things they would like Santa to bring them, each member was requested to select a Good Cause they would like to help.Crofton Lions Charity Account would then allocate £100.00 to each of the selected good causes. As a result, Crofton Lions were able to give support to fourteen 'Good Causes' including Christmas Day Dinners for the lonely in Crofton Parish, Macmillan Cancer Support Group, Fareport Talking News for the Blind, Five young people with severe learning difficulties, Help for Heroes, KIDS, A talented young sportswoman who had won sports scholarships but needed help with equipment, RSPCA Stubbington Ark, Friends of Baycroft School, Seahawks (A Support Group for Children with Diabetes), Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children, The Gurkha Welfare Trust, and the Stubbington Girl Guides.