Christmas at Birtles has come and gone and been a bright time for many. But, Mr Bradley wouldn’t have been who he was without some dig at church attendance over the period. Christmas Day had only seen 25 communicants and whilst he concedes that there were probably valid reasons why some could not attend, he chides the rest of his flock in the manner only he could do.

The Christmas Dance is reported ... The Christmas Dance in the gymnasium we look back to with genuine enjoyment, as a model parish dance. Our ball-room was beautifully fitted up, and the dancing entered into with great spirit. Frank Spensley presided at the piano. A large party from the Hall graced the dance, and all classes mingled in sociability and good-fellowship. Proceeds, after expenses were paid, amounted to over £6, of which £5 was handed at once to the church Heating Fund, the rest being given to the new Parish Library at the school."

The gymnasium had also been the venue for the Christmas Sunday School Treat and Prize Giving which was described as being happy, though boisterous, as Mr Bradley says ... "This year the whole of the evening, after tea, was given up to games, one following another in quick succession, and the scene was distinctly animated!" Is there a slight note of disapproval here one wonders?

The brass plate in memory of the late Colonel Hibbert and commemorating his giving of the church to the parish, had been put up on the date of his birthday, December 18^th, and as Mr Bradley describes it, "a strikingly handsome addition to the church and a memorial we shall greatly prize."

The draining of the churchyard has finally been completed having been a more costly and prolonged job than originally anticipated.