Most of us have experienced the thrill of receiving a package wrapped in bright paper and tied with ribbon or endless strips of sellotape, blocking a quick entry! Children tear at the paper eager to discover what it contains; others examine the shape, give it a shake or sniff the exterior in an attempt to guess what is hidden inside. Sometimes the parcel arrives bang on time and can be opened immediately; it may be delivered...or discovered, ahead of the day. How many people

Have you ever wondered if there is more to life than this, what you are doing here, or if there is any purpose to existence? If so, the Alpha course offers the opportunity to explore these questions, and many others, whilst investigating whether the Christian faith has anything to offer? Each evening of the course begins with a hot meal before a short presentation is given on the focused subject of the week. Discussion groups follow, where over a cup of tea or coffee, you wil

'While Shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.' Thinking of the shepherds in the nativity story, The Word Bookshop is running its third advent sheep trail in Castle Road. Over the last two years around 30 shops have had knitted sheep on display, giving them names ranging from the literary (Bronte and Ebenezer) to the witty (Minty and Baa Humbug). The trail, which runs from 1st to 23rd December