With all of us on a three line whip because of new legisation on Stamp Duty being hurried through Parliament, we were on parade until Government business was concluded. I was nervous that that might take too long and not enable me to attend an open air carol service at Weymouth Football Club. Fortunately, we were released at about 1340, so I lept into my car and headed to Weymouth. Despite horrific traffic around Ringwood and Wimborne, I made it to the football ground in good time. The lovely Anni Douglas had co-ordinated this event, which was being repeated around the country, apparently. The Service was led by the Rev Chris Briggs, who was in flying form. The cold snap certainly gave the Service a real Christmas feel and cups of chocolate, coffee and tea were being consumed at regular intervals to keep everyone warm. A choir from six or seven primary schools did a wonderful job and sang a special and rather haunting version of Silent Night. There was a small enactment by some children, who portrayed the moment British and German troops put down their weapons and met in No Man's Land on Christmas day in 1914. They also played football against each other, before returning to their trenches when the slaughter continued. Touchingly, one constituent's grandfather had been there and we presented her with a bunch of red roses to commemorate the event and of course her grandfather. A priest from Wimborne gave a pertinent and powerful address half way through the Service. Down below us, on the edge of the pitch, the Salvation Army band braved the cold magnificently, performing brilliantly, as always. The event was really poignant and I believe there are plans to repeat it next year. I hope so as about 800 people attended and all clearly enjoyed themselves.