GREETINGS: This is the last contribution before Christmas so I send seasonal greetings to all the staff at the Observer, particularly Russ, Joan and Laura, who I have most contact with, and any readers from Westfield, Rye and Battle, including many from the villages as far as Camber, Peasmarsh and Wittersham.

I, along with many other grandparents, will be rather occupied next week so I will wish a very happy New Year too.

I cannot believe where this year has disappeared and already 2008 is knocking on the door.

Doorstep Collections: Don't forget, tomorrow (Saturday) the black wheelie bin collection is early instead of Monday, for next week only but if you are in an area where Thursday is the usual day, then it is a day later and Friday will be collection day, for black wheelie bins, then both boxes respectively, for the next two weeks. It all reverts to normal from January 7.

Recycling: The brochure, delivered last week to all properties in Rother, was welcomed by a number of residents as a helpful document making some points clear for their recycling items.

It still confuses some as each area has different requests, eg. Hastings Borough takes cardboard from the doorstep while Rother is only able to take it from Mountfield or Pebsham household waste recycling sites. However, overall the amount of recycled items is good.

Don't forget to recycle your Christmas cards at Tesco, Sainsbury's, W.H. Smith, M & S etc. as the paper recycling box does not want them.

Church: This fourth Sunday in Advent, services at St John the Baptist, Westfield are Holy Communion (1662) at 8am, Nine Thirty Plus (all-age) at 9.30am, and Parish Eucharist at 10.30am.

Christmas Services are the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at 6pm when the collection supports the work of the Children's Society.

Midnight Eucharist by candlelight begins at 11pm and is usually finished by ten minutes past the midnight hour.

On Christmas Day Holy Communion, Book of Common Prayer is at 9am and the Family Eucharist, an informal and seasonal celebration with Holy Communion is at 10.30am.

The Services of Lessons and Carols last Sunday evening was indeed a lovely service by candlelight, well attended and enjoyed.

Trees: If you still have to purchase your Christmas tree, don't forget the planet. Trees at Littledown Farm, on the north side of Westfield on the A28, are locally grown and have not travelled miles.

There is a huge range to choose from in type, height, cut or rooted etc., decorations, accessories, fu-el (ie logs, coal, potatoes) and a visit to the reindeer after your tree purchase.

Don't forget after the festivities are over, you may recycle your tree by returning it to the yard at Littledown.

Lights: The new outdoor lighting now illuminates St John the Baptist Church for people of the parish and those passing on the A28 and along with all the coloured designs which attracts people from miles around, as do the decorations of individual residents.

Instead of filming in the atrocious weather of the previous week, the Belgian TV crew returned to film last Friday evening during the Carols round the Christmas Tree event.

Old Courthouse: On Christmas Eve, Mick McEnery is responsible for the live music for your enjoyment and on New Year's Eve there is a disco.

Admission is of course free and you are welcome to find an evening's entertainment at The Old Courthouse where the real ales earned them the Pub of the Year Award in South East Sussex.

Carols: Last Friday evening was on the cold side but dry for the Community Carols round the Christmas Tree.

About one hundred people joined in, though the number was down on last year, we were pleased that non-Westfield residents travelled to enjoy the event too.

The band played well in the cold to accompany the carollers and the delicious hot, homemade soup was very welcome to warm everyone up.