This is a text-only version of an article first published on Thursday, 23 May 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
HUNDREDS of people flocked to the now annual Christmas at Melrose event in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes.
Jim Razey of Tudor Rose GoldWings raising money for Air Ambulance at the St Mary's Bletchley Outreach event in December 2016.
James Rudd.
Worbrun Sands Brass Band at St Mary's Bletchley Outreach - by James Rudd at St Mary's Church, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England, on 03 December 2016.
St Mary's Bletchley Outreach - by James Rudd at St Mary's Church, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England, on 03 December 2016.
St Mary's Bletchley Outreach - by James Rudd at St Mary's Church, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England, on 03 December 2016.
The team behind Christmas at Melrose - a festive outreach event in Bletchley.
Photo my James Rudd.
A hog roast was served alongside soup, hot drinks and home-made cakes in the Melrose area of the Buckinghamshire village.
Richard Lyons, a volunteer from St Mary's Church in Bletchley, explained that the idea for the event came when a joint carol singing event with Whaddon Way Church drew very little interest.
This year's event drew around 500 people.
The police, fire brigade,MPs and councils are involved.
Now St Mary's and West Bletchley Parish Council share the £3,000 cost of what Richard describes as a gift to the Melrose Community.
Now in its fourth year, Christmas at Melrose is hosted in a marquee that has been increasing in size every Christmas.
A children's choir and other local groups are involved and this year there was even a visit from the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Steve Coventry. Richard said: "We have inflatables, crafts, face painting and a brass band.
There is school involvement with a children's choir and other local groups are involved.
We can also share our faith with those who haven't heard the Christmas story or are unlikely to come near a church. "