Christmas carols ringing out at Pittville Pump Room

» THIS has been a challenging year for us all as we continue to live through an unprecedented period in history.

The coming Christmas season shines like a beacon, a time to embrace the sparkle and spirit-lifting magic that yuletide brings.

As the dark nights crept in and the second lockdown restricted us all, homes and streets across the area began twinkling with Christmas lights as families put up their decorations and let in the light of Christmas early.

Music and carols are also at the heart of Christmas, the sounds of children’s Nativities, Christingles and carol concerts and midnight mass.

In this year when those festive traditions are restricted or unable to go ahead, being able to experience some semblance of those much loved traditions can impact so strongly on our health and wellbeing.

So at The Cheltenham Trust we’re embracing the spirit of Christmas with a host of choirs and carol singers lined up at the Heritage Café at Pittville

Pump Room to take us all into the festive period.

As the Christmas tree lights and festoon lights come on as darkness falls early on the days when daylight is shorter, the sound of traditional carols and songs will ring out, with the first choir bringing their festive tunes on Thursday, December 17.

The dates and times of the carol singing can be found at www. cheltenhamtrust.org.uk

If you’re ready for some Christmas magic in those last few days before the big day, maybe a visit to Pittville Park and the Heritage Café will not only put you firmly in the festive mood but will do wonders to improve your wellbeing and hope.

There is light, and as a nation we look forward to coming out the other side of this pandemic.

Enjoy this Christmas as it will be written in history and let’s embrace and enjoy what we can do in these extraordinary times.