East Garston

Thanks to very many of you across the parish, we have just enjoyed a most tremendous set of services and events to celebrate Christmas at our church. Of course it was magical seeing the church in the snow, especially with the paths and trees lit in the approach to the church, not just for the Candlelight Carol Service, but also for the Concert and on New Year’s Eve when the bellringers and supporters kindly rang in 2011 for us.

But the real joy was in the numbers of people that came – 110 for the Carol Service and 90+ on Christmas morning, despite a freezing cold church. Our hot mulled wine and very hot mince pies and sausage rolls served after the Carol Service and the Concert were really appreciated.

The Christmas Concert was a new venture for us and we had a star studded cast. Joya Logan – international recording artist who performs across Europe and appears regularly on BBC radio, is a member of some very prestigious choirs including The Guards Chapel Choir in London. The audience will remember her sublime rendering of the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria and the Adam O Holy Night.

Joya was supported by organist Andrew King who was a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, and then an Organ Scholar at Jesus College Cambridge, where he obtained his degree in Music. He tours widely giving recitals in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand and so on. Andrew drove valiantly through the snow from Northamptonshire to be with us for the concert. All agreed that the sound that Andrew produced from our little country organ, was just phenomenal.

The Wantage Youth Brass, who are firm friends of East Garston, were in fine form and combined well with the soloists and the East Garston Male Voice Group, who also sang on three evenings at the Queens Arms and collected over £350 for church funds.

Photos : Martyn Wright
Text : Sally Wright

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