THERE were plenty of magical and poignant moments when the 60th anniversary of York’s Annual Community Carol Concert was celebrated at York Barbican yesterday afternoon.

For the first time in its history there was a sprinkling of snow from cannons, as the York Civic Youth Choir sang We Love the Snow, a new carol written by Steve Cassidy.

Organiser Graham Bradbury said: “We really wanted people to leave the concert and go home with festive cheer in their hearts. It has been a tremendous diamond anniversary carol concert; a virtual sellout of more than 1,300 seats.”

The event has raised money for The Press Community Appeal for York Mind. and the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

A presentation with a collage of previous carol concert photographs was made to the committee chairman John Warburton who has conducted 38 of the 60 annual concerts.

He has bowed out to his successor, musical director Mike Pratt and took up his baton at the rostrum for one last poignant time during the performance.

In an emotional speech Mr Warburton paid tribute to the community concert that he likened to Last Night of the Proms.

Taking part were York Railway Institute Band; York Civic Youth Choir; York Musical Theatre Company; Cansing!, the City of York Council staff choir; Joanne and Angelina Warburton and the Steve Cassidy Band. The master of ceremonies was the Rev Andrew Foster.