A number of carol services and festive community events have been held across our area in the build up to Christmas.

Kirkley:

The traditional nativity is a timeless part of Christmas – and it is not complete without a donkey.

And this year there was a festive treat as the Kirkley carol concert and nativity featured a donkey, which carried Mary from the Claremont Pier to the Kirkley Centre.

Steve and Janice Hammond, from Windsor Gallery Picture Frames, helped organise the event.

Mr Hammond said: 'There was a good turnout and this was the first one we have put on. We hope to start this as an annual tradition.'

Joe Knight, of Take Note Music, arranged the music and brass band, the Singing Futures Youth Choir – made up of children aged seven and over – sang at the concert and Hannah Gray, from the Lighthouse Children's Club, directed. Scratby Donkeys provided the animals for the procession.

? The Lighthouse Children's Club meet on Thursday afternoons from 4.30 to 5.45pm for games, crafts, singing and bible stories. Call 01502 512278/218196 for more information.

Southwold:

It was a sign of the community coming together at Christmas as people from Southwold, Reydon and surrounding villages came together for a candlelit carol service.

St Edmund's Church on Bartholomew Green in Southwold was filled to the rafters with people full of Christmas cheer.

After last Sunday's carol service, town mayor Melanie Tucker said: 'Thank you to our community. I was delighted, and very touched, by the strength of the response from Southwold, Reydon and the surrounding villages for the Community Carol Service.

'Around 500 people attended, with everyone bringing a light to keep with them throughout the service. 'St Edmund's was full to capacity with standing room only. I think that it said so much for the strength of our community that so many people went out of their way to attend, and from further afield than we had anticipated.

'The Rev Simon Pitcher and his team created a service that was enchanting and uplifting and we all appreciated the carefully chosen pieces from the choir.

'Asking members of the community to do the readings was inspired, and I should like to thank formally everyone who was involved in the service.'

Concert-goers were asked to bring a LED candlelight, provided for free by the town council.

Lowestoft:

The Lowestoft community came together for the annual chairman and mayor's carol service.

It was held last Sunday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Gordon Road.

It began with the processional carol where the clergy and distinguished civic guests made their way into the church.

The first carol sung was Once in Royal David's City before prayers were read by Rev Father Paul Chanh.

The chairman of Waveney District Council, Bruce Provan, mayor of Lowestoft, Stephen Ardley, and council leader Colin Law all completed short readings throughout the service.

The large crowd, who had gathered at the service, were then treated to a dance routine from the Silhouette Stage School, while the Lowestoft Choral Society sang Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly.

Other carols included O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Silent Night and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The Rev Deacon Stephen Pomeroy and Rt Rev Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia, also attended the service.

Mr Ardley said: 'It was a great event and lovely to have it in such a wonderful church. To see so many people here and enjoying themselves, was fantastic.'

Kessingland:

Schoolchildren and members of the community gathered around the village Christmas tree in Kessingland to sing festive carols.

A carol service was held on Field Lane, opposite the Kessingland Church of England Primary Academy, last Friday at 3.30pm.

Liam Martin, chairman of Kessingland Parish Council, said: 'The service, which lasted about 45 minutes, was well attended, with nearly half of those present being children from the school – there was also a special guest appearance by Reggie the Lion, from Africa Alive.

'The carols were overseen by the Rev Janet Wyer from St Edmund Church.'

On Sunday, December 12, Wrentham Brass Band performed Christmas music and carols at St Edmund Church.

Mr Martin added: 'Around 90 people attended the two hour concert, which was received very well and put everybody in the Christmas spirit.

'All the Christmas favourites were included like White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Good King Wenceslas, Silent Night, The Snowman and many more family favourites.

'At the break everybody was served with mulled wine, fruit juice and mince pies provided by the volunteers at St Edmund Church.'

A collection taken at the end of the concert raised £125 towards church funds.