A cold night in Grayshott did not stop a heart warming Concert taking place at St. Luke's Church.

Their annual Christmas Concert last Sunday was a great success attended by over 300 adults and children who had braved the coldest of conditions to support the event. It was so cold that the Fund-raising committee of the Church decided that such dedication deserved reward and therefore gave every one a glass (or two) of mulled wine.

The Excelsis choir performed a repertoire of familiar and some not-so-well-known pieces to enthrall the audience. Soprano soloist Eleanor Rastall and organist Clive Osgood graced the programme which embraced parts of Handel's Messiah to Benjamin Britten with much in between. Audience participation was encouaged for four traditional carols. Through out the performance the choristers of St. Edmund's once again showed their versatility and enthusiasm to a very responsive audience. Under the baton and watchful eye of Robert Lewis these two choirs working in harmony are indeed a credit to our village. Home grown excellence!

The music was interspersed with readings. These ranged from the poignant - Edgar Guest's Mankind at Christmas, via a literary gem - Laurie Lee's Carol singing piece from Cider with Rosie, to funny - Joseph's second epistle to the Corinthians. The readings were designed to follow the musical passages through the build up to the birth of Jesus and were concluded by Alison Morgan and Toby Millard performing a sketch, largely written by themselves - a donkey puppet bemoaning the loss of his stable to the baby Jesus. Brilliant!

St Luke's fundraising committee members are truly grateful to all who supported this event; not only in contributing to the running-costs of the Church but in showing how this Church is at the real centre of our village.