We’ll be meeting outside number 2 Whitehall Road at 6:45 (ish) tomorrow evening for winter warmers before setting out (any contributions gratefully accepted).

See you then.

As promised, information about how, what, where, and when for this years carols—a fully fledged, brass supported, sing your hearts out, Christmas carol session around Highfields (again).

We’ll be gathering at number… well that’s still TBA  (volunteers?)… at 6:45 pm (ish) for a 7:00 pm (ish) start on Sunday the 22^nd. I say “ish” because, as is traditional on these occasions, there will be “refreshments” before we set out (if all goes to plan, mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles).

A few details to keep in mind:

• We’ll be meeting outside (there will be a bloody big gazebo if its damp). Dress appropriately.
• There will be refreshments – mulled wine and hot chocolate (for the littles and those who don’t like mulled wine – odd I know, but it does happen) and probably mince pies. Feel free to drop off offerings during the day at numbers 2 and wherever we end up starting from.
• Save the planet. Please bring your own cup/mug to be filled with good cheer.
• Dogs, babies, cats, pushchairs, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames (have I forgotten anything?) all welcome.
• A special truncated song book has been produced (see below). You can still use an old song book for most of the carols if you have one lying around. The running order has a cross reference for the old song number. Torches to help with seeing what you’re singing are recommended.
• If you’re going down the electronic route, downloading the songbook BEFORE start is strongly recommended.

As with previous years…

WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY MONEY

It’s just for fun.

(Though plying us with more “refreshments” as we go around would not go amiss – purely to keep the cold out of course – hint, hint).

If you really, really feel the need, make a donation to your favourite charity.

Please tell your neighbours we’re coming around (especially the electronically challenged and/or elderly) and give them an approximate time. Some older residents hide because they are intimidated by the dreaded carol singers demanding money with menaces after singing one verse of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It would be a pity for them to miss out.

Running order

We’re going back to some old favourites this year. As is always the case, there are many, many more carols contenders than there are sinigang slots and some golden oldies haven’t made the cut. Sorry if they include your own personal favourites. If it’s any consolation, my all time favourite didn’t survive the cut either (sigh – maybe next year).

The ones that did make the cut are in the music section (see below) and also linked here. Technically it’s still a provisional list, but it’s pretty close to being finalised.

Familiarising yourself with the adventurous bits and harmonies before hand is strongly recommended. Sooooo. Homework (it will get you in the mood if nothing else).

Media and links

Running order

Special edition 2024 song book

Full song book

Music (for those who can’t remember what it’s all supposed to sound like)

Playlist

Yes we’re doing it again. Sunday 22^nd December 2024 @ 7:00 pm

More info to follow…

As promised, information about how, what, where, and when for this years carols—a fully fledged, brass supported, sing your hearts out, Christmas carol session around Highfields (again).

We’ll be gathering at numbers 9 and 10 at 7:15 pm (ish) for a 7:30 pm (ish) start on Friday the 22^nd. I say “ish” because, as is traditional on these occasions, there will be “refreshments” before we set out (if all goes to plan, mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles).

A few details to keep in mind:

• We’ll be meeting outside (there will be a bloody big gazebo if its damp). Dress appropriately.
• There will be refreshments – mulled wine and hot chocolate (for the littles and those who don’t like mulled wine – odd I know, but it does happen) and probably mince pies. Feel free to drop off offerings during the day at numbers 2, 9 or 10.
• Save the planet. Please bring your own cup/mug to be filled with good cheer.
• Dogs, babies, cats, pushchairs, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames (have I forgotten anything?) all welcome.
• A special truncated song book has been produced (see below). You can still use an old song book for most of the carols if you have one lying around. The running order has a cross reference for the old song number. Torches to help with seeing what you’re singing are recommended.
• If you’re going down the electronic route, downloading the songbook BEFORE start is strongly recommended.

As with previous years…

WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY MONEY

It’s just for fun.

(Though plying us with more “refreshments” as we go around would not go amiss – purely to keep the cold out of course – hint, hint).

If you really, really feel the need, make a donation to your favourite charity.

Please tell your neighbours we’re coming around (especially the electronically challenged and/or elderly) and give them an approximate time. Some older residents hide because they are intimidated by the dreaded carol singers demanding money with menaces after singing one verse of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It would be a pity for them to miss out.

Running order

We’re being a bit adventurous this year and singing some things we haven’t sung for a while (or indeed ever) and some different tunes. Things to note in particular: “Angels from Realms of Glory” is new; we haven’t sung “In Dulci Jubilo” for a while; and we’re singing an alternative tune for “O Little Town of Bethlehem“.

They’re in the music section (see below) and also linked here.

Familiarising yourself with the adventurous bits before hand is strongly recommended. Sooooo. Homework (it will get you in the mood if nothing else).

Media and links

Running order

Special edition 2023 song book

Full song book

Music (for those who can’t remember what it’s all supposed to sound like)

Playlist

Hold the date…

22 December 2023 @ 7:30 pm

More info to follow

Minor change to the arrangements.  We’ll be meeting at number 2 (not number 10). Everything else remains the same…

See you later

As promised, information about how what where and when for this years carols—a fully fledged, brass supported, sing your hearts out, Christmas carol session around Highfields.

We’ll be gathering at number 10 at 5:15 pm (ish) for a 5:30 pm (ish) start on Friday the 23^rd. I say “ish” because, as is traditional on these occasions, there will be “refreshments” before we set out.

Obviously, these are still not normal times so please bear the following in mind:

• We’ll be meeting and staying outside (there will be a bloody big gazebo if its damp). Dress appropriately.
• There will be refreshments – mulled wine (and hot chocolate for the littles) and possibly mince pies. Feel free to drop off offerings during the day at number 2 or number 10.
• Save the planet. Please bring your own cup to be filled with good cheer.
• When singing please don’t clump too close together. Covid hasn’t gone away and its flu season. Family clumps are probably the best option and having your own words (paper or electronic – see links below) makes distancing easier. Torches to help with seeing what you’re singing are recommended.
• Dogs, babies, cats, pushchairs, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames all welcome.
• A special truncated song book has been produced (see below). You can still use an old song book if you have one lying around. The running order has a cross reference for the old song number.
• If you’re going down the electronic route, downloading the songbook BEFORE start is strongly recommended.

As with previous years…

WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY MONEY

It’s just for fun.

(Though plying us with more “refreshments” as we go around would not go amiss – purely to keep the cold out of course).

If you really, really feel the need, make a donation to your favourite charity.

Please tell your neighbours we’re coming around (especially the electronically challenged and/or elderly) and give them an approximate time. Some older residents hide because they are intimidated by the dreaded carol singers demanding money with menaces after singing one verse of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It would be a pity for them to miss out.

Running order

Media and links

Running order

Special edition 2022 song book

Full song book

Music (for those who can’t remember what it’s all supposed to sound like)

Carols

Friday, December 23^rd starting at 5:30

More info to follow…

Yup. We’re actually singing around the houses again this year. A fully fledged, brass supported, sing your hearts out, Christmas carol session around Highfields.

We’ll be gathering at number 2 at 6:30pm for a 7:00 pm (ish) start on Wednesday the 22^nd. I say “ish” because, as is traditional on these occasions, there will be “refreshments” before we set out.

Obviously, these are not normal times so please bear the following in mind:

• We’ll be meeting and staying outside (there will be a bloody big gazebo if its damp). Dress appropriately.
• There will be refreshments – mulled wine (and hot chocolate for the littles) and possibly mince pies. Feel free to drop off offerings during the day.
• Save the planet. Please bring your own cup to be filled with good cheer.
• When singing please be spaced out. Family clumps are okay, but please have your own words (paper or electronic – see links below) so you don’t share with anyone you don’t live with. Torches to help with seeing what you’re singing are recommended.
• A special truncated song book has been produced (see below). You can still use an old song book if you have one lying around. The running order has a cross reference for the old song number.

As with previous years…

WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING ANY MONEY

It’s just for fun.

(Though plying us with more “refreshments” as we go around would not go amiss – purely for medicinal purposes of course).

If you really feel the need, make a donation to your favourite charity.

Please tell your neighbours we’re coming around (especially the electronically challenged) and give them an approximate time. Some older residents hide because they are intimidated by the dreaded carol singers demanding money with menaces after singing one verse of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It would be a pity for them to miss out.

Running order

Media and links

Running order

Special edition 2021 song book

Full song book

Music (for those who can’t remember what it’s all supposed to sound like)

• There will be no going around from door to door (don’t even think about it).
• We can sing in our own gardens (I’ll be standing at my front gate for instance).
• You can’t go into anyone else’s garden to sing with them.
• You can’t meet anyone out in the road.

Within that framework we’re good to go.