HEARTFELT wishes for the merriest Christmas and most prosperous and successful New Year to everyone in our two villages.

FESTIVITIES: Are well under way, with the Ellisfield Ladies' carol singing around the impressive new crib outside St Martin's.

It was built by two local lads who I'm told would rather not have their names mentioned and it's distinguished by having just two Wise Men (ask Pauline Parnell-Hopkinson what detained the third).

Farleigh has been partying with a zest that is all its own, with children and the Estate Club at the core of the revels.

FOND farewell: This is the last column I shall write for Village News, as I moved out of Wyckens on Monday.

Thanks to everyone in our two magnificent villages - Farleigh, the beautiful, with its close-knit and caring community which puts on the most rumbustious parties it's been my pleasure to write about.

I'll never forget the doughnut-eating and Miss Farleigh (men only) competitions. Thanks Jerry and Don.

And it's goodbye to Ellisfield, that incomparable village with a magic that winds itself into your heart.

The best dances I've ever been to (thanks Maggie and Meg for the '60s event and Doreen for the barn dance where I laughed 'til I cried) and a kindness and concern unparalleled in my experience.

NEXT year: Watch this space for Village News that is planned to have something/ someone old and something/someone new...

So it's over and out and thanks, Farleigh and Ellisfield, for everything.

You mean more to me than you'll ever know.