Spreading Christmas cheer!
Local schools hold annual service and hundreds attend RNLI carol concert
More than 200 pupils and their families packed St Nicholas Chapel in King's Lynn.
"It really helps bring the community together and bring a magical start to the Christmas Season,” says Robin Norman, who's Director of Music at WNAT.
“The annual event is a traditional Christmas Carol Service with a selection of readings, a blessing from Canon Mark Dimond from the Minster, and also communal carols, as well as each group of schools performing a song on their own."
Image Ian Burt
“This is the fourth time we have run this event, and it was my ‘brainchild’ to bring a more traditional feel to an event in the town,” he continues. “One that could bring together all of our schools, our parents, and the local community in general – something that would become magical and truly give the Christmas Spirit.
“We started with around 250 in the congregation for the first one in 2022, and this year there was ‘standing room only’, so I am absolutely thrilled how it has grown.”
Image Ian Burt
Participating primary schools included WNAT members Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn, along with Terrington St John, Tilney St Lawrence, Walpole Highway, and West Walton from the Windmill Federation; while the WNAT high schools taking part were Marshland, St Clements, Smithdon, and Springwood.
Mr Norman ends by saying, "A huge shout out to all the teachers across all the schools who worked with the children and made it a truly memorable event."
Image Ian Burt
There's also been a packed St Mary's Church at Old Hunstanton for the RNLI's annual concert, singers accompanied by the Hunstanton Concert Band directed by Paula Cuthbertson.
Image RNLI/Chris Bishop
Those in attendance included members of the lifeboat crew, personnel from HM Coastguard, the National Coastwatch Institution, the police and fire service, along with RNLI supporters.
Image RNLI/Chris Bishop
The event's organised by Kate Craven, who's water safety lead at the local lifeboat station, "The RNLI and Friends Carol Concert brings together all those that volunteer at our station to honour the work that is done 365 days a year to save lives at sea, as well as that of our friends and colleagues from all the other emergency services who help to keep us safe all year round."
Image RNLI/Chris Bishop
Kate adds, "Inviting our community to the church for carols, mulled wine and mince pies allows us to reflect on the courage and dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our fundraisers and donors, without whom their lifesaving work would not be possible."
