Special church service being held for the bereaved

A widow who lost her husband suddenly after 35 years said she was looking forward to a church service for those experiencing loss or loneliness.

The 'Blue Christmas' worship, at St Mary's in the Wiltshire village of Lydiard Tregoze, is offering a space of reflection for those who find celebration difficult during the festive season.

Bob Nicholas, who was a member of the congregation, was still regularly tending the flower beds in the churchyard when he died unexpectedly in August.

His wife Linda Nicholas said: "It's great to acknowledge that Christmas isn't just about fun for everybody, and lots of people have sad experiences in their lives."

She said the service would allow her to reflect upon her "unexpected" loss after 35 years of being together.

"I think it's really good just to make a space and say, 'that's ok, it's alright to feel like that, you don't have to be all about the tinsel and the bright lights'," she said.

The Reverend Neil Fisher, assistant curate of St Mary's, said Blue Christmas services - named after an Elvis Presley song - had become popular in recent years as a way of offering comfort and a quieter style of worship.

"There's so much build up to Christmas that's usually quite jolly and happy, but quite often we forget about the people that may be facing a challenging time and need a space to reflect," he said.

Mr Fisher said it was like a memorial service, allowing people a space to come together for remembrance.

"The thoughts of things that are happening in our lives are brought to the fore quite dramatically at this time of year, so it's good to be able to step back but also to look forward.

"Hopefully what we do on Sunday within our worship will help people feel that comfort to help them find a way forward with the issues they may be experiencing.

"We thought it would be really good to have a space where people could come and in the darkest moments of their lives, remember that Christ's light still shines in the darkness," he added.

The service is taking place at St Mary's Church in the village, just to the west of Swindon, at 14:00 GMT on 14 December.

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