One of the biggest annual Christmas events in Tintern, where hundrends of people come together by torchlight, took place this month.

The Chepstow and District Rotary Club staged its annual Torchlight Carol Service at Tintern Abbey on Saturday, December 4.This most popular family event is always well supported and this year around one-thousand people attended. Thanks to posters, in-programme advertising and flyers handed out on the high street the club has enourmous local support for the event.Covid has had a large impact on community events, so it was not surprising to organisers that the final approval to stage the event was delayed by CADW until late in the year. In addition, due to structural failings in the Abbey itself, the Rotary service could no longer be held in the main Church building. From 5pm families formed a column in front of the Tintern CADW shop holding their torches on high to light their way, while the smaller members carried their glowing light-sticks. They then walked slowly in column down the side of the Abbey while the sounds of the Wyedean choir added to the ambience. Once all were in place the congregation sang together the most popular carols lead by the Wyedean School Choir. December 3, 2022 has been marked as the date for next year’s service.