THIS Saturday 5th December, the Chepstow Rotary Club will stage it’s annual Torchlight Carol Service at Tintern Abbey. This most popular family event is always well supported and last year some 400 people attended.

From 5.45pm families start to form the column in front of the Anchor Inn, Tintern holding their flaming torches to light their way, while the little ones carry light-sticks. They then slowly walk in column around the outside of the Abbey to the sounds of the choir singing carols within. 

Tintern Abbey is certainly an atmospheric location by day, but by night in floodlight and with hundreds of flaming torches burning brightly, and carols sung by the choir, it becomes a positively magical place. "Harry Potter has nothing on this", said one visitor last year. 

Once all are within the Abbey the congregation sing together the most popular carols lead by Wyedean School and Gospel Choir. The carols will be interspersed with seasonal Bible readings while prayers will be lead by The Reverend Andrew Webster

So far this year the Chepstow Club raised over £2,500 for Rotary charities. These include global polio eradication, young chef, young citizen, young photographer, young writer, youth speaks and young musician competitions in local schools and a life education bus   Entry is by personal programme that may be purchased on the night or, from end-November, from the Tintern Abbey shop. 

Visit www.chepstowrotary.org.uk for details.