THE ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning                                                                           
We will remember them.”   
              
Laurence Binyon - For the Fallen

The Annual Service of Remembrance was held on Sunday 9th November. Members of our community congregated at the Churchyard Cross in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, Linton to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This was followed by a service inside the church.

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News from St Mary’s Church

Christmas tree blessing and light switch on 
Get your Christmas Season off to a great start with the Blessing of the Christmas Tree & Light Switch On at 5.30 pm on Saturday 6th December, finishing with a few carols outside around the brazier. The event will also include refreshments and a chance to buy your Cobalt Christmas Cards.  The church will be candlelit and decorated ready for the season so do come along.
 
Bible Book Club
We will be holding the first Bible Book Club on Sunday 14th December at Wrens Nest.  The idea is much the same as a secular book club.  We choose a book of the Bible to read over the month and then meet and discuss it.
December’s book is Ruth, a book which seems on the surface to be a simple love story but has a lot to say on how we treat strangers and aliens, kindness, faithfulness and redemption.  All are very welcome; each month will be stand-alone so please drop in.  We will choose the book for the Book Club meeting on Sunday January 11th at the December meeting.

Carol Service
The Linton Village Carol Service is at 5.30 pm on Sunday 21st December.  This year we are basing the service on the Nine Lessons and Carols, a service which started just over 100 years ago as a response to the devastation of the First World War.  I’m not sure we will rival King’s College, Cambridge but it promises to be a lovely event, singing carols in a candlelit church.  Mince pies and refreshments afterwards.

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Crib Service
For many the Crib Service marks the start of Christmas.  It will be at 4pm on Christmas Eve.  There will be a rehearsal earlier in the week for narrators and main parts but you can just turn up.  Please feel free to come dressed as your favourite character from the Christmas Story.  At the event you can also receive details of the 12 Days of Christmas Treasure Hunt.

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Christmas Day
The Christmas Communion Service will be at 11am on Christmas Day.
Even if you are not able to come to a service over Christmas, please try to visit St Mary's.  It is open during daylight hours and is sure to be beautifully decorated for Christmas, as we are blessed with many talented flower arrangers.

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Christingle Service
The Morning Worship on 18th January will take the form of a Christingle Service.  Christingle Services began in the Moravian church in 1747 but have more recently been used by the Children's Society as an opportunity to focus on their work.  It involves sweets, candles and oranges so what’s not to love!  Everyone welcome.  Start at 11:00 am.  Collection in aid of the Children’s Society.

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Thefts
Please be vigilant of any suspicious activity around or in the church.  We have had a number of incidences of minor thefts and damage, including breaking the padlock to the shed.  Most recently a fold-up table has disappeared from the church.  We would very much like to continue to have the building open during daylight hours but will have to review this if things keep going missing.

For up-to-date news on St Mary's Church please go to the website: www.lintonvillage.com/st-marys-church

7th Alma Santa Run  

Sunday 7th December starts at 12.30pm
Are you ready for the festive season? Kickstart your Christmas with this scenic fun run for the whole family with truly wonderful views over the local area. The course will again follow a circular 1.8-mile route around Linton and Linton Hill. The car park, start and finish are all at the Alma Inn (HR9 7RY). FREE ENTRY- just turn up in seasonal attire & jog!!! The event will not be timed and runners can proceed at their own speed. A jug of ale for the first Santa home and a mince pie for all finishers!  Spectators and dogs on a lead are most welcome. Any donations will be in favour of the Ross Community Larder.
Marshals needed! 

Can you spare an hour at lunchtime on Sunday 7th December to help marshal the route of this year's Alma Santa Run? Volunteers will be greatly appreciated and rewarded with a pint (or equivalent) at the Alma after the run.
For more information please contact Gemma Evans at the Alma Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Pageor Roger Davies Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page

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Linton Village Hall
What’s Coming up at LVH? 

Christmas Coffee Morning
Our festive Christmas Coffee Morning will be held this year on Saturday 6th December from 10.30am - Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy toasted crumpets, delicious cakes, lashings of fresh coffee and tea, raffle, Christmas cards etc.  The hall will be decked with festive decorations and Christmas music will be playing, so come and join us.  To be sure of a seat/table please email: carol849@btinternet.com

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5 Villages Film Festival: ‘Isle of Dogs’  
Saturday 7th February at LVH. Doors 6.15 for 7pm.
Linton Village Hall is delighted to be taking part in the first 5 Villages Film Festival. We will be showing Wes Anderson’s visually stunning animated story of loyalty and friendship between a boy and his lost dog, set in a dystopian Japan of the future. 
There will also be a short (or two) from students of the BA(Hons) Film & TV Production course at the University of Gloucestershire, and we hope they will be there to talk about their work and meet the audience.
There will be a bar, fresh homemade popcorn, cake and quite possibly ice-cream or some other sweet treats and snacks. So please come and support the festival and emerging film makers at the beginning of their careers.
To be certain of a ticket, please book in advance online using TicketSource.co.uk/FiveVillagesFilmFestival Price is £5 (plus 42p fee). Tickets may also be available at Gorsley Post Office. Any unsold tickets will be available on the door. Please check Linton Village Hall website nearer the day for availability

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Our Christmas Message
And lastly, a Christmas message from the trustees: We would like to wish Chimes readers a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year, and to thank everyone who has helped and supported the committee and the hall by contributing their enthusiasm, time and energy to help in so many ways. It is much appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you at the hall next year! Happy Christmas!

Linton Village Hall 100 Club Winners
September
£5 Catherine Riley, £10 Lesley James, £25 Hannah Cresswell
October
£5 Mark Ashton, £10 Suzanne Hemmingway, £25 Alice Casson
November
£5 Ernst Zillekens, £10 Nicola Smith, £25 Richard Haines

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Carol singing
Come and join the fun - everyone is welcome, the more the merrier!
Carol sheets are provided. Bring your own lantern/torch, hi-viz/bright coats are advised.  All donations received will go to the Ross Community Larder. 
Monday 15th The Ridge 6.30pm, meet at the church steps  
Tuesday 16th Centre of the village 6.30pm, meet at the same place. Both will be weather permitting, of course! 

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VOLT – Village of Linton Trust New Year Coffee Morning 
Saturday 3rd January 2026 at Linton Village Hall 10.00am-12.30pm
Come and enjoy fresh coffee and cakes with friends and neighbours. A lovely social start to the New Year!
Volt Trustees would like to thank everyone for their continued support; a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
 
Linton Summer Sessions donates £1200 to charity
On Tuesday 21st October the Linton Summer Sessions team invited the festival sponsors and local charity representatives to The Alma for a brief presentation ahead of the monthly Open Mic Night. Mike Bertenshaw, with help from the main sponsors, John Burton (Moat Contracting) and Adam Davis (Naylor Powell), presented donations to the following charities:

• Big Space Cancer Appeal £200 - this is a project to raise funds for a much-needed new cancer centre in Cheltenham that will offer local patients (including from Herefordshire) the very best environment for treatment, healing and recovery.

• Hereford & Worcester Community First Responder Charity (Ross on Wye) £200 - This team of dedicated volunteers responds to medical emergencies and provides support to our community, through awareness training. They also provide a first aid service for community events such as ours, without which many would not be able to go ahead.

• St Michaels Hospice £200 - Its mission is to help people in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas, benefit from palliative and end-of-life care when needed. This includes supporting loved ones throughout bereavement and beyond.  
• Parkinson’s UK (£200) and Alzheimer’s Research UK (£200) - both very worthy national charities personally chosen by the organising team and sponsors. 

• Local charities Linton Village Hall (£100) and Linton Brownies (£100) who benefit hugely from charitable donations to continue to provide their valuable service to our local communities.
Thanks again to everyone who came along and supported the event - despite the weather!  Linton Summer Sessions will be back next year! 

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PARISH COUNCIL
There is a vacancy on the parish council following the sad death recently of Councillor Andy Price. If you are interested, please contact Rich Hunt via e-mail: pcclerk@lintonpc-herefordshire.gov.uk or telephone: 07763 793695.   
Herefordshire Council have approved the parish council’s request to place two village gateways at the western end of Gorsley in front of the existing speed limit terminals. Gateways have proven effective in other locations in curbing road user speed. 
The parish council will agree its precept application to Herefordshire Council for fiscal year 2026-27 at its meeting on Monday 10 November. A precept is the amount of money that parish councils require to conduct their essential functions and services within the community. It is collected through the Council Tax system.
 
Linton Pound News
The dressed stone that composed the outer skin of the Linton Pound which had been promised to the village by Herefordshire Council has disappeared. Attempts to track it down and have it brought back to Linton have so far proved unfruitful. In the meantime, an official complaint about the total destruction of the pound and the disappearance of the stone has been submitted to the council. The Ross Gazette is helpfully keeping this issue in the public eye.    
In addition, Defra - the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the local Commons Registration Office have been approached under the auspices of the 2006 Commons Act to discuss the custodianship of the pound for the future.
Below are two photographs that show the pound in its recent state and the rubble that was left after demolition, in which scarcely a trace of the dressed stone can be seen.