COMMUNITIES across Oxfordshire got into the festive spirit over the weekend with carol services accompanied by church organs, orchestras and even electric guitars.

On Sunday afternoon Oxford Town Hall hosted the annual Lord Mayor’s Carol Concert, which was attended by more than 400 people.

The concert raised £2,500 for the Lord Mayor’s charities fund, which this year supports Cowley-based mental health charity Restore and physical disabilities charity Oxfordshire Unlimited.

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Lord Mayor Mohammed Abbasi said: “It was a great concert and was even better attended than expected.

“Everyone was singing and having a good time.

“I didn’t sing myself but Councillor Mary Clarkson sang on my behalf.”

On Saturday night the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church performed their annual carol service at the Cathedral in St Aldate’s.

They put on a mixed programme of the classics, and more modern carols from John Rutter and Philip Stopford.

Choirmaster and conductor John Padley, 48, said: “There was a real mix of people from our core following, people on holiday and others who wanted to do something quite traditional.”

Members of St Mary’s Cogges parish in Witney attended Madley Park House care home to bring a little festive cheer to residents on Sunday morning.

Care leader Liz Bywaters, 61, said: “The residents did enjoy the carol service. They love singing so most of them joined in.”

Trainee vicar at St Mary’s, 30-year-old Rich White accompanied the carol service with his guitar.

The congregation of Emmanuel Church in Bicester sang “rocking” versions of old classics on Sunday morning.

Erika Biscoe, 48, wife of the vicar Ian Biscoe, led the service.

Trainee Church of England minister Mrs Biscoe said: “I think at this time of year people can forget that Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.”

More than 400 Abingdon residents gathered in the 13th Century St Helen’s Church to perform the annual Carols by Candlelight service.

Second alto Sheila Hills has been performing in the yearly service since joining the choir in 1966. The 82-year-old grandmother-of-two said: “We have a lot of people who don’t traditionally come to church who want to join in, and that’s great.”

Challow Village Hall in Wantage was also full of festive cheer as the Wantage Community Church celebrated their annual carol service on Sunday.

Pastor of the church, 48-year-old Neil Townsend said: “We sang a lot of the classic Christmas carols and I think they are a great way to capture the spirit and message of this time of year.


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