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December 19th, 2005

Carol service fire drama

Maddie_C and I were at an unnamed church this evening. It was in Essex, but that is all I’m prepared to say. It was the 9 lessons and carols. We’d just had the angel appearing to Mary when all eyes turned to the right as flames began to be seen on one of the high window ledges. There were lots of flames already because of the candles, but these were bigger than your usual candle flames. By the time we’d started on the birth of Jesus a stepladder had been obtained from the vestry and the fire extinguished. But the spectacle wasn’t over. No sooner had the angel appeared to the shepherds when two more fires started on an adjacent window ledge and pews had to be moved so that the step ladder could be manoeuvred into position so that the churchwarden could once again ascend to the heights with his special fire putting-out pole. Once the wise men were on their way the drama was past, but many members of the congregation kept glancing up at the candles on the window ledges just to be sure.

The readon for the drama? ‘Oasis’, the soft green material used for flower displays had been used to position a lot (and I mean a lot) of candles on the window ledges. Oasis burns.

If you are a church warden and have surfed in via Google looking for the phrase ‘Is oasis flammable’ or Does oasis burn?’ or ‘Is oasis a good thing to use to support candles during a carol service?’ then you have come to the right place.

DO NOT use oasis to support candles. It will burn and cause a drama. Thank you.

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This is a single post on the Cartoon Blog by Dave posted on Monday, December 19th, 2005 at 12:47 am. Click here to read all of the latest posts. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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7 Responses to “Carol service fire drama”


  1. Youthblog says:

    Your commitment to public service blogcasting is as ever hugely appreciated ;-) I can almost sense a whole cartoon series emerging!

  2. Neil says:

    I will bear in mind to keep my candles away from slightly washed out Britpop bands. I am in fact moving Cast, The Bluetones and Menswear well away from my festive displays as we speak.

  3. Ian says:

    LOL Neil.

    Glad everyone, and the church, is alright.

  4. Youthblog says:

    in my bored moments today I have been consulting Google on the flammability of Oases and even asking the stark question “Does Oasis burn?”
    Regrettably it is not yet directing people to your blog!!! I think you need to talk urgently to Google as your safety advice is just not getting through.

  5. Chorister says:

    We nearly had the same disaster last year – the greenery next to the candles above my head at the carol service caught light. Fortunately a very tall tenor extinguished the candles in a swift move and the greenery fire went out by itself a short while later. I noticed this year that the candles were up minus greenery.
    Choristers with long flowing hair are another disaster area…..

  6. Rhys says:

    Youthblog can relax; you’re now Google hit #1 for oasis flammable (even without any quotes), and the world may be a safer place.

  7. Tiffer says:

    Christingle and Hairspray – ouch – everyone remembers the year the curates daughter had a lot of fiery hair – she’s ok now :)