The service men and women who will be spending Christmas in Iraq and Afghanistan, including those from the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers who are in Iraq, will be remembered at a special Carol Service at St Woolos Cathedral at 7pm on Saturday, December 8th.

During the service, the Bishop to the Forces, Rt Revd David Connor, will preach. The lessons will be read by the Senior Solider in Wales, Brigadier Libby, and by a serving soldier from the 1st Rifles based at Beachley Barracks near Chepstow.

Fr Mark Soady CF(V), Minor Canon said: “It is right that we remember in prayer those soldiers who will be separated from their families at Christmas, but also in this service we will be raising funds to support the Armed Forces Charities, so that they in turn can give our soldiers and their families the welfare support they need at this time.”

The proceeds from the Carol Service will go the Army Benevolent Fund, SSAFA-Forces Help and the Royal British Legion.

In a separate development, the congregation at St Woolos Cathedral are sending out Christmas presents to the individual soldiers from the Royal Monmouthshire Regiment who will be spending Christmas in Iraq.

END 27 November 2007

Contact: Fr. Mark Soady, St Woolos Cathedral Tel: 01633 267191 Mob 07968 753978 Email: mark.soady@ntlworld.com