Christmas celebration

Massed choral opening . . . the borough’s musical talent came together at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

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CHRISTMAS time is here and what better way to enjoy the festive period than with a night of joyous music.

Oldham Music Service held its annual Christmas carol concerts at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Around 400 people attended a more traditional Christmas festival on the first night, followed by more than 500 music lovers the following day for a junior Christmas festival with a pantomime “Where’s Santa?” theme.

The two concerts helped raise just over £1,500 for Papyrus — a young person’s suicide charity — which was donated in memory of Ben Fitchett, a Crompton House pupil who attended the Oldham Music Service. Ben died, aged 14, two years ago.

Music Service director Gerard Booth said: “It was really well supported. There was a fantastic audience at both concerts. There were musical standards as high as you will hear anywhere in the country. Oldham is exceptional when it comes to musicians.”