Carol spectaculars at parish church hailed as

TWO ‘Carol Spectaculars’ at Tamworth Parish Church have been hailed as “fabulous” by the hosting Mayor of Tamworth.

Councillor John Harper staged both evenings on Friday and Saturday, December 15 and 16, in St. Editha’s, where he was a boy chorister for 10 years, in aid of his mayoral charities.

There was a mixture of Christmas carols and songs, festive poems and readings, and a host of ‘Cracker’ jokes by the Mayor!

On Friday evening Flax Hill School Choir performed and guest of honour was Tamworth’s new MP Sarah Edwards.

Then on Saturday there was a civic reception at the Town Hall for visiting dignitaries from neighbouring local authorities before they joined the service where Coton Green School choir performed.

Saturday evening also included a surprise entrance by ‘Mandy’ the donkey from Ash End House Children’s Farm at Middleton as the children sang ‘Little Donkey.’

The Mayor reflected: “She was so well-behaved and everyone was smiling and reaching for their cameras! Then at the end of the service Father Christmas popped in. Could it get any better?

“It was a fabulous festive event, and so lovely that so many people turned up. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I will always remember this Christmas celebration.

“I want to thank everyone who helped and contributed in any way, especially the staff and pupils of Flax Hill and Coton Green schools, St. Editha’s Church and the Tamworth and

District Civic Society. May I name in particular the Vicar, Andrew Lythall; the organist and choirmaster of 52 years Ken Edwards; the choir; churchwarden Briony Brookman; TDCS chairman David Biggs; Tracey Pointon and my mayoral team; and Nick Cross who played the organ beautifully at the town hall reception on Saturday. Merry Christmas to everyone!”

Guests included Deputy-lieutenant of Staffordshire Lee Bates, and High Sheriff of Staffordshire Victoria Hawley.

The Mayor said on them: “It is always good to enlighten our neighbours about what Tamworth has to offer, and the heritage and beauty of Tamworth’s Town Hall and Parish Church were at their festive finest.”

Coton Green Primary School students sang at the Mayor of Tamworth’s carol concert at St Editha’s on Saturday night. Pictures by Rob Tanner

Coton Green School’s choir. Pictures by Roxana Matei

Saturday’s rendition of ‘Little Donkey’ by Coton Green School was enhanced by a very well-behaved donkey who enchanted the congregation. ‘Mandy’ visited from Ash End House Children’s Farm at Middleton.

The Mayor compered each evening in a spectacularly-lit St. Editha’s Church.

On both nights the Mayor was supported by fellow Tamworth and District Civic Society members among the congregation. Cllr Harper is pictured with TDCS Chairman, Dr. David Biggs.