Festival of Lessons and Carols with Farnley Singers

A group of the Farnley Singers assemble for a rehearsal at St Lucius'.

A congregation of nearly 100 gathered for our Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 15, when the music was led by a mixed-voice choir.

The Farnley Singers, directed by its founder Jim Cowell, was formed specially to sing this service in 2017 and since then the numbers have grown. This year the 16 experienced musicians in the choir stalls included two visiting opera singers from London.

Besides the familiar congregational carols, there were several pieces from the choir. Among them, Harold Darke's timeless setting of In the bleak mid-winter, Adam lay y'bounden by Peter Warlock and Ding Dong merrily on High.

The Rev Professor Jessica Malay led the 11am service, lessons were read by members of the community and coffee, tea, sherry, mince pies and an epic Christmas cake were served afterwards.

Part of the collection will go towards our development appeal.

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