Published on
18 December 2023
Magical carol concert sees children take centre stage
Children representing schools from across the borough helped to raise money for Woodley Foodbank
Children from schools across Wokingham Borough were the stars of the show at a Christmas carol concert, which raised more than £500 for charity.
Around 250 pupils representing 15 schools took part in the event, which was held at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Lower Earley on Sunday 10 December. It is the first time the concert has been held in person since 2019 following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Led by James Baker, musical director of the Berkshire Music Trust Orchestra, the choir performed a range of songs and carols. The set included Once in Royal David’s City, Do You Hear What I Hear, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and White Christmas, with a finale of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
The concert was raising money for the Woodley Foodbank, which is Borough Mayor Cllr Beth Rowland’s charity of the year.
Cllr Rowland said: “The Christmas concert is always one of the highlights of the year and I am delighted that we were able to hold it in person for the first time since the pandemic. It is a truly magical occasion and guarantees to put you in a festive mood. So much time goes into a night like this and I am very grateful to all the schools that took part – the children did their schools proud and I am also thankful to James Baker for co-ordinating such a brilliant event.
“I was delighted to be able to use this event to help support the Woodley Foodbank. Particularly at this time of year, it is vital that all families in the borough have the essential supplies needed to have a lovely Christmas with their loved ones, but also ongoing support through the winter months when the cost of living hits hard.”
Cllr Rowland has also supported the foodbank’s recent Reverse Advent Calendar appeal, which saw dozens of items donated to the council’s civic offices at Shute End in Wokingham.
The schools taking part in the concert included: Alder Grove CE Primary School, Bearwood Primary School, Farley Hill Primary School, Finchampstead CE Primary School, Gorse Ride Primary School, Grazeley Parochial CE Primary School, Hawkedon Primary School, Hawthorns Primary School, Highwood Primary School, Lambs Lane Primary School, Rivermead Primary School, South Lake Primary School, St Cecilia’s CE Primary School, St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School and Winnersh Primary School.
In 2021, the concert was held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions, but this is the first time families from participating schools have come together at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in four years.
Berkshire Music Trust is an independent charity that works across Berkshire to educate, inspire and encourage children, young people and adults to start musical journeys. It has been providing opportunities for more than 40 years, teaching instrumental and singing lessons in and outside of schools.
