A Star for Christmas

Guests attending Manchester's carol concert on 1 December, sponsored by Just Retirement, enjoyed heart-warming performances by The Fron Male Voice Choir and a brilliant reading by ex-Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear. Mince pies and wine rounded off an enjoyable morning of celebration in the beautiful surroundings of Manchester Cathedral.

The London carol concert, kindly sponsored by Handicare and Just Retirement, welcomed 450 guests to St. Pancras Church on the evening of 6 December. Guests were greeted by the festive smell of roasting chestnuts and the sound of Popchoir and the concert was hosted by TV presenter and broadcaster, Penny Smith.

Readings by much-loved television stars, Barbara Windsor, Christopher Biggins and Lionel Blair and performances by the London Gay Men's Chorus and Nicky Spence created an enjoyably seasonal programme.

Lionel Blair treated our guests to a poem written by himself and his wife, Susan,  which perfectly summed up a wonderful year. He has kindly allowed us to share this with you:

As we come to the end of another year,
We have many reasons to be full of cheer;
 
With her majesty's diamond jubilee,
Then the summer Olympics, for the whole world to see;
 
We watched our Queen meet Double-O-Seven,
And jump from a plane…absolute heaven;
 
How inspired we were by team GB,
They did us proud…there was Jessica Ennis...
And at last Andy Murray won in the tennis;
 
We learned how to do the 'Mo',     
And the 'I love you',                        
 
We marvelled at the speed and the skill and the heart,
We felt in a small way…we all played a part;
 
The games makers helped to show us all,
How to volunteer with all of your soul;
 
They made a big difference,
And now so will we… with our time and our thought and generosity;
 
So as we celebrate this Christmas time, as I will at home with all of mine,
We spare a thought for the older and lonely;
 
There is little more for me to say,
We are all here to support Age UK;
 
Christmas is coming; we're full of good spirit,
Mine's a tonic…with vodka in it!
 
Merry Christmas!!

All the proceeds from our Christmas concerts will help people enjoy a better later life, here and in more than 40 of the world’s poorest countries. We’re helping older people live the lives they deserve – dignified, self-sufficient, productive and valued. You can find out more about our subsidiary charity Age International.

To put your name down on the mailing list for next year's concerts, please email events@ageuk.org.uk

Thank you to everyone who contributed to make these events such a success!