A FESTIVE carol concert thrilled families as hundreds packed into an annual show to raise funds for worthy causes.

The proceeds from the 57th Community Carol Concert will go towards those who need it most, including York Food Bank and the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York's Christmas Cheer Fund, which gives hundreds of pensioners the chance to enjoy an early Christmas dinner with the Lord Mayor at the Assembly Rooms.

The audience inside the packed-out Barbican rose to its feet time after time to sing along to classic carols performed by the Collavoce Choir, with help from Tadcaster Grammar School Concert Band, and the joint choirs of Haxby Road Primary Academy and St Lawrence’s CofE Primary School.

Pupils were joined on stage by singer Steve Cassidy, the brass ensemble Fanfare and 20-piece vocal group Harmonix while the host, the Reverend Andrew Foster, entertained the audience with an array of jokes.

The audience sang carols including O Little Town of Bethlehem, In the Bleak Mid-Winter and Away In A Manger before rounding off the night with O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Graham Bradbury, organising secretary and treasurer, said: "It was a wonderful performance by everybody.

"It was a delightful afternoon and a nice way to start the Christmas celebrations.

"There wasn't a weak link in the concert from the moment we started, both schools were excellent and Tadcaster Grammar School was the backbone of the concert."

The event was tinged with sadness as the committee's longest serving member, Joan Sadler, passed away on Sunday morning.

Mrs Sadler had been hoping to attend the performance, however, Mr Bradbury said the afternoon proved to be "a fitting tribute" to the 93-year-old.

York Press:

York Press: