Perth takes part in bid to break singing record

AN AMALGAM of Perth churches last night took part in a nationwide attempt to beat the world record for the biggest number of carol singers singing at the same time.

Members of Perth Action of Churches Together joined this year’s record-breaking attempt at the concert hall.

They sang five selected carols, which were sung in churches up and down the country.These were Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

The timing coincided with the annual PACTcarol service, which also took place last night.

The Guinness world record was set up last year when churches across the UK and abroad attracted 18,114 carol singers to sing the five carols in unison, beating the previous record of just 14,100 established by Disney in 2009.

PACT consists of 26 churches and Christian communities from the Perth area.

If successful, the bid to have 25,000 singing the same five Christmas carols at the same time between 7pm and 7.15pm on Premier Christian Radio, would smash the total.

Premier Christian Radio, which co-ordinated the attempt, also played the five carols on the radio, enabling churches to use the broadcast as their backing music and assisting nationwide unison.

Peter Kerridge, chief executive officer of Premier Christian Radio, said: “Last year’s record-breaking attempt brought many people into churches who were not regular visitors and served as a timely reminder that Christmas starts with Christ.

“We received many positive reports from churches telling us they were full to overflowing and what an enjoyable evening it had been for all concerned.”

The service was conducted by the Rev Carolann Erskine,with speaker the Rev Albert Bogle, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and founder of the Vine Trust.

Singing was led by the Churches Together Choir under the direction of Lt Jennifer Gosling.

The crowd in the concert hall give it their all.