Christmas band and choir celebration will make history in Gorleston

History will be made when the Christmas Celebration featuring the Salvation Army’s Norwich Citadel Band and Gorleston Community Choir takes place at St Andrew’s, Gorleston on December 6.

It will be the first concert in the new look parish church.

The audience will literally be able to take their seats since the uncomfortable Victorian pews were replaced at the end of October with light, modern chairs which fan out in a semi-circle, giving everyone a better view of what’s happening. The church has also been carpeted while the band will be the first to perform on the enlarged platform.

This first phase of the re-ordering was timed to be completed for what has now become a popular annual event. As always a large Christmas tree will also be in place to help set the scene for a programme which this year features plenty of familiar carols.

The band, which has recently released a new CD, will be conducted by Richard Woodrow and will include several seasonal favourites in its programme.

Gorleston Community Choir goes from strength to strength under musical director Chris Whiting and gave a very successful concert at St Nicholas Minster at the end of September. Their sections will include Christmas and other well known items. The choir and band will also combine for the final piece.

There will as always be a short “blessed thought” from one of the members of the band to complete the evening.

The concert is now in its third year and has attracted a large audience in the past. Organisers are confident there will be enough seats in the new arrangement which will be a test for other big events, including the Christmas Eve services.

The proceeds will go towards the fabric fund, including replacing the landmark flag pole on the church tower, a job which also requires extensive renovation to the roof.

Tickets for the Christmas Celebration are £5 and available now from St Andrew’s Church office 01493 656078.