A 50-strong choir of care home residents, family members and staff came together to perform in public at a community Christmas tree festival in Hampshire.
The Colten Care singers, featuring 35 residents from five New Forest homes, sang carols and other Yuletide music to entertain visitors at Lymington’s St Thomas Church.
A definite highlight was John Rutter’s sacred choral piece Angels’ Carol, beginning: ‘Have you heard the sound of the angel voices, ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear?’.
Also on the set list were Christmas favourites such as Winter Wonderland and When A Child is Born.
The show proved a popular contribution to the live music programme on the first of three festival days at St Thomas.
While Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music & Arts Partner, visited homes before the event to rehearse small groups of singers, it was the first time the combined choir had sung in unison.
Some performers were making a return trip to the church, having sung at the same festival in previous years, while for others it was a new experience.
Fiona said: “It was the best show we have done at St Thomas, a true performance. When the residents sang Angel’s Choir, the audience was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. One lady told me that it had given her goosebumps to hear it.”
Residents and relatives spoke of their joy at taking part.
Pam Bradley, who lives at Linden House in Lymington, said: “It makes you feel so warm and Christmassy, and I do love seeing all the trees.”
Fellow Linden House resident John Porter said: “It was a wonderful event and I was so pleased to be a part of it.”
Debbie Corrigan, whose father Jack lives at Kingfishers in New Milton, said: “What a fantastic way to start Christmas. Seeing my dad and so many other residents from the homes enjoy the concert was heartwarming.”
As well as singing, Colten Care residents made decorations for five trees, one from each care home, that were put on display and sold in aid of church charity the Friends of St Thomas.
They were among dozens of trees contributed by local companies and organisations that were presented for sale to the public over the three days of the festival.
Debbie added: “The trees looked amazing and whole event captured the spirit of Christmas. We thank all the volunteers at St Thomas Church and everyone at Colten Care for making this event so special.”
