Live carols at King’s shelved due to virus
THE world- famous King’s College carol service will not be held for the first time in 90 years due to the pandemic.
Millions of listeners around the globe tune in on Christmas Eve to hear A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols sung live to a spellbound audience.
It had already been decided that the chapel would be closed to the public, but now BBC Radio will transmit a recording made earlier this month.
Delighted
The service, first broadcast in 1928, consists of Bible readings, hymns and carols in the 15th- century chapel.
It is distinct from Carols From King’s, which is a service pre- recorded for TV, also broadcast on Christmas Eve.
Rev Dr Stephen Cherry, Dean of King’s, said: “Sad though we are not to be together in the Chapel for the service on Christmas Eve, we are delighted that we will be able to share our Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols this year. The amount of travel involved in gathering the choir and crew from around the country for the service, and the possible risks of infection at a time when the statistics are getting worse, made this the responsible option.”
Professor Michael Proctor, provost of the college, added: “It is very much this year’s service with this year’s choir, repertoire and lessons: we hope that those who listen will find its beauty and message as comforting and inspiring as it has been every other year.”
Meanwhile locals have slammed as “disgraceful” police who broke up a carol “mini- concert” in a quiet village. Officers claimed the outdoor gathering in Woodborough, Notts, was “breaking Government rules”. Organisers said it was within Covid- 19 guidelines, which allow carol singing in Tier 3 areas.
A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols is on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service on Christmas Eve at 3pm.