For us, 'Christmas' begins at the start of November. A popular tourist destination, many hotels in Bournemouth have Turkey and Tinsel weeks throughout November and December, allowing their guests to sample the wonder of Christmas - complete with presents, Christmas Dinner and Carols from the Salvation Army band - well before the day itself.

By the time December arrives the Band has already experienced five Boxing Days, as that is the day of the Christmas Week that we appear at the hotel. The first Thursday of December always is the occasion of our Christmas Concert in the beautiful Priory Church in Christchurch - an occasion that for many who attend it marks the start of Christmas.

The other main concert for the Band in the run up to Christmas is the Rotary Club's annual Christmas Concert that takes place next Tuesday (18th) in the Boscombe Salvation Army hall.

Apart from concerts, the Band take part in Corps activities, inclduing the Toy Service, the Corps Carol Service and - of course, playing Christmas music on the streets of Bournemouth on three Saturdays in December. There is also a carol service at St Thomas Lymington as well as the carol service at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on the Sunday before Christmas.

Rotary are supported at the Tree of Light service - also at the hospital - and we play carols for the Christchurch Rotary Club's annual Christmas Dinner. The club were very generous in their support of the BH1 Project. We support Hurn Council at their tree lighting ceremony and on Sunday mornings play carols at various local old people's homes.

Christmas Eve sees the Band touring over a dozen hotels in the local area - reminding the guests that there is more to Christmas than good food and presents. The final event of this busy season brings the whole Band together at 10am on Christmas morning in the foyer of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital where Christians Awake rings out loud and clear. The Christmas music and a bit of good cheer is then delivered to those unfortunate to be in hospital both in Bournemouth and Christchurch.

As you can tell - this is a hectic time for the Band - but an enjoyable one, and it gives many opportunities to tell the Christian message to people who might never hear it otherwise. In the midst of all this hard work we take time out to wish all of our friends right around the world:

A Very Happy Christmas