Together at Christmas Carol Services
The congregation holds candles
In December 2023, the Essex Lord-Lieutenant was asked to host one of only twelve Carol Services in the UK to be held in conjunction with the Princess of Wales’s ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
In support of The Princess of Wales returning to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service on Friday 8th December, twelve community carol services took place across the UK in December 2023. They were hosted by Lord-Lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.
The twelve community carol services were bespoke to the locations they were in and provided a moment for people to come together at Christmas time and celebrate community work during the festive season. The services were an opportunity to share a special thank you to those who are supporting the youngest children in our society in those crucial early years.
Brentwood Imperial Youth Band and Choirs from The Coopers’ Company and Coborn School and Hassenbrook Academy.
The twelve services took place in:
- St Hilda’s Church – Hartlepool, Friday 1st December
- Uppingham Parish Church – Rutland, Saturday 2nd December
- Paces School – Sheffield, Tuesday 5th December
- Cheshire Zoo – Cheshire, Wednesday 6th December
- Newport Cathedral – Newport, Wednesday 6th December
- St Deiniols Cathedral – Bangor, Wednesday 6th December
- Ortu Hassenbrook Academy – Thurrock, Thursday 7th December
- Leominster Priory – Leominster, Thursday 7th December
- St Mary’s Church, Charlbury – Oxford, Friday 8th December
- Dunfermline Abbey – Fife, Friday 8th December
- St Columbs Cathedral – Londonderry, Monday 11th December
A Community Carol Service in Essex
Dignitaries at the Community Carol Service 2023. The Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, the High Sheriff of Essex, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Margaret Wilson DL, Jeremy Finnis DL, Sidra Naem DL, Rosemary Padfield DL, Stephen MP, Head Teacher of Hassenbrook Academy Sally Feeney, the Deputy Mayor of Thurrock Qaisar Abbas and Thurrock faith leaders.
The Lord-Lieutenant was keen to hold the service in the Thurrock area. Two Deputy Lieutenants, Margaret Wilson DL the head of several School Academies, and Jeremy Finnis DL a farmer in that area and a school governor, both helped to get the ball rolling.
It was decided to have the event at Ortu Hassenbrooks Academy, Stanford le Hope. With the tremendous help of the school, Father David Rollins, and many others, a magnificent carol service took place.
The congregation was made up of some 350 people with many adult leaders, parents, carers and children – some needing special support – from groups including The Place2B; young adults from the Youth Cabinet; young volunteers from Play Network and families from Sharing Our Lives which works with migrant families in Thurrock to foster community cohesion.
There were a variety of performances: musical, including a steel band and a KAVS award winning youth brass band; Gospel singers and children’s choirs supported by a first-class school choir from Coopers Coborn School, readings, dance, a nativity tableau, and community singing.
The Bishop of Chelmsford The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Deqani gave a blessing and a lovely thank you.
Ten different faith leaders from the Thurrock area were invited and very much enjoyed the event. The High Sheriff, local MP, Deputy Mayor and others were also amongst the dignitaries.
The services were linked to Her Royal Highness’ Shaping Us campaign, showcasing the hope of new life and why it is so important to build supportive, nurturing worlds around children and the adults in their lives.
