Like most oldies, our village church, St Martin's, Dunton, Buckinghamshire, now over 900 years old, looks better by candlelight.
Whether it's down to the flattering and flickering illumination, or to the potential thrill of the rector's surplice being singed yet again by a poorly placed candle, our Christmas Eve candlelit carol service draws in worshippers like moths.
Perhaps more accurately described as singers than worshippers – since the strength of their faith is unknown – as many as 120 of them pack out the Georgian box pews every December, while other services sometimes see so small a congregation that we are relegated to the choir stalls in the chancel.
