4pm-7.30pm Village Hall open for activities and refreshments
- 4.00pm Children’s performances, activities, socialising – village hall
- 5.15pm Christmas carols – village hall and green
- 5.30pm Switch on of Christmas lights – village hall
- 5.45pm More Christmas carols!
- 6.00pm Father Christmas and his sleigh – village green
- 6.30pm Continued socialising in the village hall with music and bubble machines until the mulled wine runs out!
[and then maybe a crafty sidestep to the Bush which will remain open until 8pm!]
Note: all timings are provisional and weather dependent
St Hilary’s celebration of Winter’s Eve is a unique programme of events where villagers come together in a series of activities to mark the onset of dark nights and roaring fires
Children’s activities in the village hall will include games and crafts suitable for all ages
Village children will also wow us with songs and jokes which they are already practicing – if your child/children/grandchildren would like to impress us with their skills (songs/jokes/reading/instrument/dance/etc) please contact Beth Whelan:
After the children’s activities, the action will move outside for the grand switch on of the Christmas lights and community carol singing led by members of the re-established village choir and professional singers
That will set the scene for the arrival of Father Christmas and his sleigh, elves and helpers
The arrival of Santa’s Sleigh will be heralded by an advance Cowbridge Rotary car playing Christmas music and announcing that he is on his way, so there will be plenty of time for everyone to get the best view, wave and shout to Santa and his elves as they stop to say hello – and the children will then be able to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas (if they have been good!)
Next, socialising will continue in the village hall until the mulled wine runs out!
And, for anyone who wants to continue the festivities, the Bush will be open until 8pm!!!!
Support Winter’s Eve
You can help to support Winter’s Eve by making a donation: Christmas lights and decorations, insurance, goodies for children, publicity, materials, and equipment.
Surplus funds will go towards activities planned for 2024: village events, cut clear and clean (3Cs) and initiatives in the telephone box, plus the village insurance.
Go to: www.gofundme.com/f/WE2023
If you prefer to donate by cash or cheque (payable to St Hilary Forum) speak to Terry Dennis
If you enjoyed last year’s events, please support Winter’s Eve and next year’s activities by donating generously – it is part of what makes St Hilary such a special place to live
Contribute to Winter’s Eve
This year marks the beginning of the changing of the guard!
The village stalwarts have been joined by a number of villagers who have moved into St Hilary more recently
So we now have a multi-generational team of volunteers committed to Winter’s Eve – the intention is to hand on the baton incrementally to the younger villagers over the next year or two
But regardless of age or how long you have been resident in the village, everybody is welcome to get involved – just ask!!!
Contact Terry on