Every year at Maida Hill market around this time, the Mayor of Westminster comes down along with the local MP and a few other VIPs to switch on the Christmas tree lights. It’s a relatively new tradition that our community choir All Sing! is delighted to accompany with a few jolly carols – and anything else we’ve managed to learn during the term.
A merry buzz of anticipation grew amongst my fellow choral members as we gathered around the base of the tree. Hats and gloves warded off the cold as J cranked up the keyboard and we got to grips with the carol sheets.
I glanced at it. ‘Away in a Manger’ was first. “Have you got a spare one of those” a bundled up gentleman asked me. I explained that we only had enough to go around the choir itself. “Never mind” he said. “It’s nice we’re going to hear some singing – festive and all that.”