FOLLOWING tradition this year, Liphook residents gathered around the Royal Anchor's tree, in The Square, for carol singing in the presence of Santa and the Haslemere town band. The event was organised and run by volunteers, who supplied free cups of hot soup as well as mince pies and roasted chestnuts for the children and their families. Each year the community spirit is renewed, organisers Terry Burns and Frances Cloude rely on the goodwill and help of many helpers and sponsors. The Royal Anchor Pub provides the venue on its forecourt. Haslemere Town Band played a total of 16 traditional Christmas Carols and Father Christmas was there to lead the proceedings. Other helpers and sponsors included Sainsbury's who gave the mince pies, the Liphook Fire Service, Gables Newsagents, Dave McCoy who provided the hot soup, Andy Fawcett who rigged up the PA system, Murgatroyds of Bordon who supplied the chestnuts, and members of the Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council. Parish council chairman John Tough gave a short speech to the crowd and local parish priest Simon Weedon blessed the evening. This year had a big surprise in store for everyone taking part, including the organisers. Ben Lawrence of BCL Technical and Jez Fisher, the general manager of The Royal Anchor pub decided to surprise the 100-strong crowd. Mr Lawrence had set up two industrial snow machines on the pub roof. As soon as the crowd started singing the Christmas song Dashing through the snow, snowflakes blew across the forecourt, much to the delight of children and adults alike. Mr Lawrence told The Herald: "It was a complete surprise for everyone and we managed to keep it a secret even from the organisers, who were just as stunned by the effect as the crowd. "Everyone thought it really was snowing, since the night was cold and crisp enough. It was wonderful to see how excited the children got, worth all the effort!" Organiser Terry Burns told The Herald: "I have been doing this event for 18 years. It was absolute magic, the children loved it." A collection was held in aid of Liphook In Bloom and the Liphook Medical Aid Fund.
