Carol Services Attract Record Attendance

Each year in the chapel at a North Shropshire school there is a series of carol services which bring together current and former pupils and parents, alongside members of the local community.

Since September both the Senior School Chapel Choir as well as the Lower School Choir have been rehearsing for the recent Candlelit Carol Services which have taken place at Ellesmere College. During the first of the four Carol Services in the Chapel of St.Oswald King and Martyr, all was dark and silent as a soloist from the Senior School Chapel Choir sang the first few lines of 'Once in Royal David City', to an assembled congregation consisting of members of the local community, current pupil's families as well as former parents and their families. Each night the Chapel was full and although the soloists and readers changed for each service, the enchanting atmosphere remained the same and each candlelit occasion was enjoyed by the congregation.

Father Robert Williams commented 'The birth of Jesus is a time of celebration which is wholeheartedly embraced by the whole School community. The School's cghoirs work hard to perfect their contribution to the services and the atmosphere created in the candlelit Chapel is enjoyed by one and all. The communal singing is always very enthusiastic with many former pupils young and old returning each year to join together in worship.'

Michael Sampson, Deputy Head Pastoral, added, 'With the significant increase in pupil numbers at the School coupled with the good reputation of the Choirs, this year we have attracted a packed Chapel at each of the Carol Services. We are now already considering the need to have a fifth service from next year.'

15th December 2006  Back to News