St Edmund's School Carol Service

Date: Friday 14 December 2007

For certainly the last two decades, it has become the tradition at St Edmund's to bring the Michaelmas term to a rousing finale with the celebration of a Carol Service in the Nave of Canterbury Cathedral. A very traditional Carol Service, too, with nine lessons and prayers interspersed with choir items and full congregational Christmas hymns. Tradition was maintained this year, starting with the Cathedral in darkness and the first solo verse of 'Once in Royal David's City' and ending with the glorious last verses of 'O Come, All Ye Faithful'.

Five minutes to go - anxious moments before the opening solo

The Cathedral was full: the wider School family was there, and it was a rare opportunity to be able to have all the boarders from Owen and School House present. School Governors, fresh from their afternoon's deliberations swelled the ranks, as did many 'Friends of the School' from previous generations. And, many thanks to those Choristers who came back off 'study leave' to bolster the Chamber Choir.

It was a wonderful experience: the lessons were beautifully read, and with real meaning; the Choir, augmented by 'pros', sang like 'pros', with the rich accompaniment of the Jubilate Brass, and David Flood's organ. And the congregation clearly enjoyed the chance to let rip into many of the old favourites - 'Hark, the Herald Angels', and 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'.

Many thanks to all who played a part in the whole event, not least the team of prefect stewards who welcomed and ushered in our guests. And thanks to the congregation itself, whose massive generosity left collection plates brimming over as they left.

Only one minor drawback - it was not the end of term, and six days are left before we can 'draw stumps' on 2007. And there's plenty to do and enjoy, with the Lower Fifth heading for Lille on Saturday, and with Christmas Dinners for all on Monday and Tuesday of next week, not to mention the JS Christmas Lunch on the last day of term.

All photographs: copyright Thomas Hooley 2007