Carols 2023

Written by Cath Moyse - Wed 20th Dec 2023

We started on Friday evening with the annual progress around the village. Fortified by a glass of Jackie's mulled wine, we sang our first carol "O Come All Ye Faithful" in West End. Our audience were asked what they'd like us to sing next, but as luck would have it we were unable to fulfil their first request "The Carol of the Bells" as we didn't have enough copies of the lyrics! We finished our trio of carols with an impromptu "Happy Birthday" for West End resident Angela, who rewarded us with a tub of Quality Street.

Our initial group of twelve was swelled as more members joined us on the way to Sherwood Close. After a brief detour to sing a couple of carols outside Nicky's Mum's house, we moved on into Sherwood Close. It was ominously quiet and no one came out to listen to us - maybe we should rename it Scrooge Close!

Yew Tree Close was very different. Lots of families came out to listen, some of them in their pyjamas. We even managed to recruit a few teenagers who were hanging around the play park to come and sing with us!

Our penultimate stop was Launton Mews before we made our way to The Bull for our final round of carols and a well earned drink. Thanks to all those who came out to listen to us and donated £256.72 for the Alzheimer's Society.

Sunday afternoon we were performing again at Launton School's Christmas Cafe, sporting Christmas jumpers and Santa hats. At least we were indoors this time so we were able to dress up in full Christmas gear. We were again fortified with mulled wine (or hot chocolate for the drivers). Jackie, Julia and Nicky gave the full song and dance routine to "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree". John did a solo of "White Christmas" accompanied by his ukulele and Nicky gave a beautiful rendition of "Walking in the Air". The children in the audience were invited to join in with "It was on a Starry Night" which is just as well as several of us were unfamiliar with the song.#

We finished our set with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and we wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Don't forget you've got until 31st December to get your EARLYBIRD discount on your pantomime tickets!