December in Tipton

Despite our tree going up at the end of November, and the Christmas cookie scented candles being lit in the evening, the Christmas spirit does not really descend on our house until Santa's sleigh has been down our road.

Tipton Community Association (TCA) has been spreading Christmas cheer for years, in their own unmistakable way.

You're sitting watching yet another repeat of The Two Ronnies and you hear the faint ringing of a bell. You rush to the front door to investigate and hear it again. Out of the misty murk that is often present on a December evening, you spot a figure in a hi-vis jacket ringing a bell and in the distance you spot the flashing lights, and get a blast of Slade and Wizzard.

You know Santa is on his way! The volunteers at TCA are escorting Santa and his sleigh around Tipton. Only when he passes our house does Christmas start for us.

Santa always stops for a chat with the kids and a photo, and the dedicated volunteers look after him.

Even before we had kids, I'd run out to see Santa!

It's taken on a real magical twist now, as our daughter excitedly runs out looking for him every year (because this one is THE real Santa).

A big 'thank you' from us as a family to all at TCA that make the sleigh tour possible, and bring a bit of that Christmas magic to our house.

The Christmas lights in Owen Street were switched on by the Mayor of Sandwell, councillor Derek Rowley, and he also turned on Tipton Civic Association's Tree of Light, which stands proudly in front of St Paul's and St Martin's Church.

The Tree of Light gives people the opportunity to remember loved ones whilst raising money for charity. It was supported by the Tipton and Coseley Building Society, and over the last four years, the Civic Society has raised over £20,000 for good causes.

A service of dedication is held at the Church before the Tree is lit, and it's very poignant to sit and think about those we'll miss at Christmas.

Christmas came to Tipton Library on December 13, and Santa was in attendance (he's clearly been very busy in Tipton!). There were craft stalls and activities, face painting, refreshments and the chance for the kids to have a painting masterclass with local artist Graham Colbourne. Graham's paintings of Tipton scenes hang on the living room walls of many a Tiptonian and we are always having to make room for more in our house, because I always manage to find a print that I just have to have!

At the event, volunteers at the Library were presented with certificates and presents for their support over the last 12 months by local MP, Adrian Bailey. There was even a pantomime, performed by Funtime Theatre. As with other events that took place throughout 2014, the library was packed to the rafters.

We're a very generous bunch in Tipton, and churches and shops throughout the town have collection points for items for The Well, Tipton's Foodbank in Union Street.

Members of the congregation at St Matthew's Church also donated items of Christmas food to make up hampers for families known to the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) team.

As usual, this is only a snapshot of what's been happening in Tipton. There's so much more going on, and only one of me to try and record as much as I can in the blog. If you've got something going on or know of an event taking place in Tipton, please feel free to send a tweet to @ThisIsTipton. The more I know about, the more I can promote to the rest of the world!

I love living in such a vibrant little town. People come together in lots of different ways to make good things happen for the benefit of all Tiptonians.

Yes, there is good and bad stuff in just about every town and Tipton has its fair share of not-so-great stuff (the Christmas lights in Princes End were vandalised this year), but the good really does outweigh the bad.

Here's to a bostin' 2015!