Service with a smile

SING a song of Christmas... choir member Lewis Kelly (centre), from St Thomas’s Leesfield School

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Festival of Carols is a joy
THE threat of snow and freezing temperatures failed to stop people flocking to the Oldham Chronicle’s ever-popular Festival of Carols.

But sickness did take its toll, keeping away the Vicar of Oldham, Derek Palmer, who was due to conduct the service, and half of Oldham Community Pop Choir.

Church warden Paul Tyrer saved the day by stepping in to lead the service, at Oldham Parish Church, at short notice, and around 300 people, including the Mayor, Councillor David Jones, enjoyed singing carols and listening to some of the borough’s most talented musicians.

The festive event, last Thursday (dec 16), provided a stage for singers, Soul Inspiration, and choirs from St Joseph’s School, Shaw, and St Thomas’s School, Leesfield.

Harrison Heeley caused a stir when he played the euphonium with The Oldham Band (Lees).

The youngster, who has just been accepted as a student at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, played a superb solo of the Christmas carol, “O Holy Night.”

Ean Burgon, from Oldham Lyceum Players, used his acting talents to perform a reading, and soloist Elizabeth Phillips was accompanied by pianist David Brocklehurst. The organist was Les Garner.

Donations made on the evening are still being counted, and the proceeds will go to the Mayor’s Charity.

One of the organisers from the Chronicle’s promotions department, Frances Hirst, said it was a wonderful festive occasion.

She thanked everyone who turned out to join in the celebration as temperatures plunged to minus 6C, saying:

“Despite the snow earlier in the day and the freezing temperatures, once again the Chronicle’s Festival of Carols was a great success.

“Many readers turned out to enjoy a festive evening displaying some of the many musical talents in Oldham.”


MANY pictures from this event and others in the Chronicle are available to order online. Click the photo tab above