Each December Lower Shaw Farm holds a Carols by Candlelight evening.  As it's name suggests, it is an evening of carols, but there is plenty more entertainment too. And it raises money for a local chairty, Christmas Care, which shelters and feeds homless during the Christmas period.

We meet in the former milking shed, where 70 cows used to be milked.  Nowadays it is bedecked with glorious foliage and lights and of course those candles; a lovely cosy atmosphere only spoilt by feet freezing on the concrete floor!

Apart from the mince pies and mulled wine, each year there is slightly different entertainment - shadow puppet shows, choirs, an ice-queen, fire juggling, bonfires and this year (2014) a spectacular fire sculpture.  The carol singing part of the evening is simply that - this is not a religious service, just everyone singing one carol after another.  It has a good old-fashioned feeling about it where the adults reminisce and the children are excited by the almost magical atmosphere.  All accompanied by a band to keep us in tune and in time.

Mandy has been going for many years as part of the Swindon Community Choir (formerly the Swindon Scratch Choir), who contribute to the entertainment with a couple of songs.

Photographs below are shown in roughly the order of the events.