TINTAGEL Methodist Chapel was full for the village carol service on Sunday evening.

With the chapel bedecked with Christmas trees, hangings and coloured lights in the windows, the Rev Bryan Ede welcomed everyone.

Sheila Flower was the organist and Kathy Rowse and Loretta Bowker the stewards.

Ann Jones, Howard Evason, Marion Trick, Irene Evason, Simon Jenny, Christine Irons and Mary Hopkins, the Tintagel Parish Church Handbell Ringers, gave their second public appearance, playing ‘Silent Night’ and ‘I Saw Three Ships’, which delighted the congregation.

The first verse of the carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ was beautifully sung by Jodie Desousa, with the congregation joining for the remainder of the carol.

Scripture readings relaying the Christmas story interspersed the carols.

The readings were given by representatives of some of the committees in the village — Valerie Stephens read for Trevena-Tintagel WI; Roger Wickett for Bossiney Methodist Church; Elaine Flew on behalf of Tintagel Christmas Lights; Mary Dyer read for Tintagel Parish Council; Lou Handley on behalf of Tintagel Carnival Committee; Anna-Maria Gomez read beautifully for Tintagel Primary School; the Rev Michael Parsons for St Materiana Parish Church and Father Brian Storey read for St Paul’s Catholic Church.

During the evening an offering of £408 was taken for the valuable work of the Merlin Appeal, the MS centre at Hewswater.

Anna-Maria Gomez, James Ham, Matthew Grigg and Molly Kestell joined the Rev Ede around the Christmas tree to sing the first verse of ‘Away in a Manger’.

At 6pm on Christmas Eve there will be an informal carol sing in the chapel and tea, coffee and mince pies will be served after.

On Christmas morning, Mrs Sue Ede at 9.30am will lead a family service in the chapel.