Wokingham

Over 100 schoolchildren will bring The Loddon Valley Leisure Centre to life with festive cheer at the annual Wokingham district primary schools’ carol concert to be held on Sunday, December 10 from 7pm.

Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross will host the evening and all proceeds from the sale of programmes will go to the chairman’s chosen charity, which this year is the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

Some 20 local Wokingham schools will form the choir and have spent many hours over the past few weeks rehearsing for the annual event. The schools involved are: Addington, Arborfield, Newland and Barnham CE Junior, Bearwood Primary, Crazies Hill CE Primary, Grazeley Parochial Primary, Hawthorns Primary, Hillside Primary, Nine Mile Ride Primary, Palmer CE Junior, Polehampton CE Junior, Radstock Primary, Rivermead Primary, Robert Piggott Junior, Shinfield St.Mary’s CE Junior, St Dominic Savio RC Primary, St Sebastian’s CE Primary, St Teresa’s RC Primary, The White House, Waverley and Winnersh Primary.

Berkshire Maestros Corelli Orchestra will provide the music for the concert and the children will sing a variety of songs including ‘White Christmas’, ‘Star Carol’ and ‘Away In A Manger’ to name just a few. Musical director James Baker of The Berkshire Young Musicians’ Trust will conduct the choir and the 50 strong orchestra, who will also perform instrumental songs including ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Christmas Festival’.

Over 1,000 people are expected in the audience, made up of parents and teachers. They too will have a part to play in bringing festive cheer to the centre when they join in the singing of Christmas favourites such as ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’.

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Angus Ross said: “There certainly is no better way to start the Christmas festivities than at the annual primary schools’ carol concert. It is always one of the biggest civic events of the year and one that, as chairman, I am very much looking forward to.

“The annual carol concert is a time to celebrate the musical talents of the young people of the Wokingham district. It will be fantastic to see the children’s enthusiasm and hearing their wonderful voices. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers who have spent a great deal of time preparing the children for this concert, the conductor and the young musicians of the orchestra.”

Wokingham District Council