Local families gathered for Aylesbury Town Council’s Carolfest on Sunday 11 December.
Carolfest took place in St Mary’s Church and was hosted by Fr Doug Zimmerman and Dez Kay from Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio with BSL interpretation provided by Marie from Hand Talking.
The evening saw performances from Bedgrove Junior School Choir, Next Stage Choir and Caduceus Brass Quintet.
Next Stage Choir’s version of ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’ wowed the audience and Bedgrove Junior School’s ’12 Days of Christmas’ received the biggest cheer of the night.
Residents from local care homes, including Lewin House in Aylesbury, kindly made gingerbread men which were offered to the 500 guests. Hot drinks and mince pies were also enjoyed which were donated by local supermarkets and served by the Scouts.
Guests generously donated food items to support the Mayor of Aylesbury’s 10 Tonne Challenge which aims to support Aylesbury Foodbank during the Town Mayor’s mayoral year.
Donations were also collected for the Town Mayor’s two chosen charities, Aylesbury Foodbank and Emmett’s Genies and for the Matrix Explorer Scout’s World Jamboree trip to South Korea next summer. A total of £693.79 was raised.
The Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Tim Dixon, said: “It was great to have Carolfest back after three years. The evening is always so uplifting and full of cheer. It was a pleasure to attend as Town Mayor. Thank you to all performers, hosts, volunteers and guests who came and sang their hearts out in St Mary’s Church.
“Carolfest rounds off the Town Council’s year of free community events. Our events will return in the new year with St George’s Day celebrations, Soapbox Derby, Aylesbury on Sea, Parklife Weekend, Christmas on the Cobbles and Carolfest. Thank you to everyone who came along and enjoyed our events and supported my chosen charities this year.”
Thank you to Phil Richards for these photos.