VILLAGERS and visitors can enjoy a holly jolly time in Wylam on Saturday as the “Christmas Jolly” gets under way.

During the day, the normally quiet village will be transported back to the murky smog of Victorian London as Dickensian characters take to the streets.

Scrooge, Miss Havisham, the Artful Dodger and friends and a town crier will move between locations throughout the day.

The bells of St Oswin’s will sing out from 10am to 10.30am as the day of festive fun begins.

At Chapel Lane visitors are encouraged to bring a decoration for the Community Christmas tree.

From 10am to 12pm roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and hot chocolate will be served.

From 11am to 11.30am there will be carol singing, with all comers invited to join in.

And from 11.45am to 12pm there will be a handbell performance.

Inside St Oswin’s church there will be a display of cribs from 10am. Anyone wishing to show a crib can bring them to the church on Friday from 2pm to 3pm and call Judy on (01661) 852575 or April on 01661 852 197 to book a place.

A soup lunch will take place from 12.15pm in the newly-refurbished St Oswin’s Church Hall.

Between 10am and 12pm there will be displays of flower decorations, cake icing, lace making, card making, patchwork and wood engraving at Wylam Insititute.

There will also be a display from Wylam Orchard plus a cake stall and an “Old Curiosity Shop”.

Between 10.30am and 11am and 11.30 and 11.45am live accordian music will fill the hall.

Decorated Christmas trees will fill the Methodist Church Centre between 10am and 3pm, and will stay there until next Tuesday, where they can be viewed between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Trees for display can be brought on Friday between 2pm and 4.30pm. Those who have not sent a form but would like to display a tree can call Brenda on (01661) 852862.

Teas and coffees will be served and there will be story-telling for children between 10.30 and 11.45am.

From 10.30am to 10.45am there will be stories for nursery age children, between 10.45am and 11am there will be stories for children aged between five and eight and from 11.15 to 11.45am the stories will be suitable for children aged eight and over.