The centrepiece of our Carol Concert this year was a new departure: Benjamin Britten’s entire Ceremony of Carols with the prescribed harp accompaniment and in the less familiar form for full choir (SATB).

In this arrangement, our whole ensemble could participate in a work normally associated only with women’s or boys’ voices. All the solos, taken by different members of the choir, were performed with credit, and the overall performance was a great success, thoroughly enjoyed by the singers and by our audience. Britten’s piece was ‘wrapped’ around with more traditional carols for choir, organ and congregation, and the exciting new venture of last year’s concert – the inclusion of a brass quintet – was repeated this time by popular demand. The result was a rich and exciting programme of which we were very proud.