Favourite Christmas Carols

CHRISTMAS CAROLS in English first appeared in a 1426 work by John Awdlay, a Shropshire chaplain, who lists 25 “caroles of Cristemas”. These were probably sung by groups of ‘wassailers’, groups who travelled from house to house, singing carols, for which they were often rewarded with an appropriate drink. SILENT NIGHT

One of the most beloved Christmas carols, Silent Night originated in the tiny village of Oberndorf in the Austrian mountains. The story goes that the day before Christmas Eve in 1818, Father Joseph Mohr, pastor of Saint Nicholas church, discovered that the church organ was broken, meaning there would be no music for his midnight mass. Taking a verse he had written two years previously he travelled several miles through the snow to his friend Franz Gruber, a school teacher and musician, and Gruber set it to music. At midnight mass, Father Mohr and Gruber, accompanied only by Gruber’s guitar, sang the gentle song “Silent Night, Holy Night” for the first time. The carol has been translated into nearly 300 languages and dialects and its message of heavenly peace sets the theme for Christmas celebrations around the globe. The song was sung simultaneously in English and German by troops during the WW1 Christmas truce of 1914, as it was one of the few carols that soldiers on both sides of the frontline knew.

GOOD KING WENCESLAS

This famous carol tells the story of a Bohemian king going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (26 December, the Second Day of Christmas). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather but is enabled to continue by following the king’s footprints, step for step, through the deep snow.

In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the ‘Wenceslas’ lyric in collaboration with his music editor, Thomas Helmore, and the carol first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, published in the same year.

O HOLY NIGHT

Listeners to Classic FM have consistently voted O Holy Night to be their favourite Christmas carol. Originally based on a French-language poem by poet Placide Cappeau, written in 1843, with the first line “Minuit, chrétiens! c’est l’heure solennelle” (Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour), was set to music by composer Adolphe Adam in 1847. The English version is by John Sullivan Dwight. The carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity’s redemption.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

Based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, this carol was written sometime before 1872 in response to a magazine request for a Christmas poem. The poem became recognised as a carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906, with music by Gustav Holst. The Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf

National fostering film project launches in Leicester & Leicestershire

A POWERFUL short film aimed at encouraging more foster carers to come forward has been released.

Leicestershire County and Leicester City Councils have joined forces with 32 other local authorities and fostering organisations from across Britain for the national release of a new short film, called ‘Out There’.

The unique film project, developed by the West Midlands Regional Fostering Recruitment Forum, is now working with councils around the country who have jointly funded its creation. ‘Out There’ highlights the ways fostering can make a difference to the lives of everyone involved, from the children and young people who live with foster carers, to those who come forward to care for them. The aim is that it will be shared on social media in cities, towns and villages right across the UK, reaching countless people and showing them the many benefits fostering brings and helping children and young people into safe, nurturing homes.

Councillor Deborah Taylor,

Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children & family services, said: “While we already have many brilliant foster carers in Leicestershire, the reality is we always need more people to open their homes and their hearts to fostering. “There are currently almost 700 children in the care of Leicestershire County Council and we are always looking for those special people to come forward to volunteers as foster carers and to make a real difference to the lives of these children. “This project has been a fantastic way of working together to make the production of a high-quality film that will be a real asset to our recruitment of new foster carers for Leicestershire.” Councillor Sarah Russell, Leicester’s deputy city mayor for social care and anti-poverty, said: “Foster carers change lives. We’re always keen to hear from people who would be interested in becoming a foster parent – from all of the diverse communities we have in Leicester. “This film will help to raise the profile of fostering and encourage more people to consider it as an option. I’m very pleased that we have been able to support it.” People who are interested in fostering in Leicestershire can watch the film at www. leicestershire.gov.uk/educationand-children/fostering/differentways-to-foster Information about fostering with Leicester City Council is available at www.leicester.gov. uk/fostering

Mercenfeld Primary School

Mercenfeld Primary School is set in the heart of Markfield and offers primary education for children aged4-11. Thisisaschoolthat’sontheup!

We joined the respected Bradgate Education Partnership in 2019 and have a newly appointed experienced Head Teacher who is keen to see all pupils succeed, be happy and love learning!

Mercenfeld Primary School

Call now to book a tour! 01530 243 151

We’d love you to come and see us for yourself, meet Luna the school rabbit and let our children tell you how much they love being here!

✔ Mercenfeld makes best use of being a part of a well-run academy trust, instigating a new curriculum developed with Outstanding and

Good Schools.

✔ Every child is encouraged to reach their potential in a safe, warm and nurturing environment.

✔ The school provides the opportunity for all children to shine, to build their confidence and resilience.

✔ Great behaviour management means a lovely place for children to learn without interruption.

✔ We have a new system to track each child’s progress aligned with the curriculum so that we can tell you how your children is doing at all times.

✔ Our amazing school produces vegetables and fruit in our own garden which are used in our freshly cooked school meals.

✔ Children take part in Forest School where they can do exciting things like build dens, learn how to make a fire and toast marshmallows.

✔ We have two hours of PE each week and run regular after school sports clubs.

Call now to book a tour! 01530 243 151 www.mercenfeld.bepschools.org

Take a look at our new school video you can see it on our website now!

www.mercenfeld.bepschools.org

LFE Film Evenings on Thursday 2 December will feature “Judy”.

THIRTY YEARS after starring in “The Wizard of Oz,” actress and singer Judy Garland arrives in London to perform soldout shows at the Talk of the Town nightclub.

While there, she reminisces with friends and fans and begins a whirlwind romance with musician Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband.

Starring Renée Zellweger, this film captures the waning days of a beloved performer with clear-eyed compassion.

Venue: the Parish Hall, Kings Drive, LFE, LE3 3JE.

On arrival complimentary hot drink and biscuits are provided. As we have no licence, please feel free to bring your own drinks.

You also get a free raffle ticket for a double ticket prize to be used for a future showing. Doors open at 7.00pm; showing starts at 7.30pm. Cost: £5.

Markfield Recitals @Markfield Methodist Church presents Piano Recital In tribute to Malcolm Goldring

Friday, November 19, 2021 at 7pm

Piano Recital Renata In tribute to Malcolm Goldring Friday, November 19, 2021 | 7pm Konyicska Works to include: Renata Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann Tickets are priced at £12 Adults - £6 under-16s

BOOK IN ADVANCE via website (preferred)

Konyicska Contact 07979 607099 if no internet access Doors open at 6.30pm Event to raise funds for church activities Website: Markfieldmethodistchurch.org Works to include Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, SchumannFacebook: Markfieldmethodistchurch

Tickets | £12 Adults - £6 u16s Book in advance via website (preferred) | Contact 07979 607099 if no internet access

Markfieldmethodistchurch.org Markfieldmethodistchurch Doors open at 6.30pm If you enjoy reading the Spotlight, please pass it on to a friend or relative when you’ve finished with it. This reader did. It’s good to share! Thanks.

Spot the Differences Spot The Difference

The Widow

By K l Slater

MY HUSBAND was not a monster. No matter what they say…

The day my husband, Michael, stepped in front of a lorry after being questioned by the police, my world fell apart. He was devoted to me and our six-year-old daughter. But they’d connected him to the disappearance of a young mother from our tiny village. Now I stand at Michael’s funeral, clutching my little girl’s hand, with tears in my eyes as I insist to all our friends that he died an innocent man. Yet the questions have started, and nothing I say will stop them digging for the truth. But none of them can read the secrets in my heart, or know about the phone I found hidden in his toolbox… I’m determined that my daughter will not remember her father as a monster. I will erase any hint of wrongdoing in this house whatever the cost. Because to keep my daughter safe, the last thing I need is for people to start looking at me…