Here’s a Christmas message straight from the mouth of our Saints’ Singers church itself. Who knew a church could talk?

They were here again, all dressed up in those festive red tops. At Christmas time my lovely ladies look a little like Mrs Claus. I must say they look absolutely spectacular tonight; it’s a pleasure to behold. What with their glittering jewellery and the sparkle of anticipation in every eye, they are my very own bright stars. What a treat I’ve had offering them a home for the last ten years.

Mind you having said that, you should see some of them on a Monday evening, trudging in from a tough day at work or from ferrying children and grandchildren about. They look shattered. To be honest, it’s almost palpable how they relax when they get inside! I like to think of myself as their second home but I worry that they may sometimes find me aloof or cold. There’s a lot of me, but I do my best to be warm and welcoming. While they are with me on a Monday, I try to wrap everyone in a big blanket of love. After all, that’s what you do with family isn’t it?

If you don’t know my history, I’ve had a few nips and tucks in the last few years; actually, the truth is more like full-on plastic surgery from head to toe. Roof repaired, organ in a new place, walls gleaming. Not to be vain, but I do think I’ve scrubbed up pretty well. Have you seen my stained glass windows? Gorgeous! Thanks to recent restorations the light now streams clear and proud and tonight all of my large windows observed the beautiful music shared. Just in case there is any doubt, though I hope that there isn’t, I will just say how very grateful I am for everything  and everyone who has helped me smarten up so well. I know it maybe doesn’t sound grand, but even receiving my lovely new bathroom facility extension was wonderful. Such a stylish place to have a pre-concert tinkle! Oops, perhaps that’s a bit too personal and I really must stop digressing!

To be honest, I’ve been creaking under the weight of having so many visitors lately. Not that I’m complaining of course. Today is  the 16th December of the year 2025. And if you’re wondering I don’t think I’ve ever been so valued.  It’s weird to reminisce that when I had visitors in the fourteenth century, the whole village of Winterton had only a few hundred souls. Yet nearly that many have squeezed into my aisles over the last couple of weeks. Take today, for example. There’s been people in and out all day making me look as smart as can be, getting me kitted out for the wassailers, singers, and quizzers! Thank you one and all! I feel truly blessed.

This Christmas season marks the end of the tenth year of Saints Singers concerts. What a decade it’s been for the choir, for the music, for me. And this year, to top it all, I had not one, but two concerts, each brimming with joy. As if that wasn’t enough, our friends in Scunthorpe hosted my lovely ladies as they sang at their Festival of Trees at Old Brumby United Church on the 13th December. I couldn’t attend, of course. My feet are firmly planted on the ground here in Winterton, but I’ve heard it was fabulous - full of beautifully decorated trees, stunning music and the same sense of togetherness that makes these occasions so special. I don’t mind occasionally sharing my lovely ladies with a neighbouring church. After all, we are not the only community that treasures friendship, song, and festive cheer. I do like to think my ladies are up there amongst the very best of choirs, though!

I bet you think I am getting too big for my boots saying that, but to be fair, who can blame me if I feel like a proud parent? I mean, have you heard the quality of the music the ladies perform in their concerts? This season their rendition of Wessex Carol was simply stunning.  I swear I saw a snowman flying above my tower last week when they were singing Walking in the Air too. Of course, no one has been able to validate the sighting, as my ladies and a vast audience were all inside. I love all the Christmas repertoire of songs and it is hard to pick a favourite, but if I had to choose one I’d probably say it is Star Carol. Yes, that is because the ladies are all stars.

I am so lucky, especially at Christmas time as I am never lonely. In fact the whole year round one of my most frequent visitors is our choir’s musical director, Elisabeth Brierley. She never misses a beat or a night. I don’t have favourites (obviously!) but there’s no escaping her quiet radiance; she truly is the musical heart of this choir. Having said that, my own commitment is pretty commendable too, but hey ho, I’m sure I’m appreciated and I don’t really need to blow my own trumpet! Talking of which, having Riverside Brass Band come and blow their trumpets and other instruments with me on the 6th December was joyful. The musicians were bold, confident, gleaming with warmth like the  polished gold and silver of their musical apparatus, filling every corner of my space as their incredible music echoed off my medieval walls. I hear whispers that their leader, Andrew Garbutt, was once Elisabeth’s A-level music teacher. If that makes Elisabeth or Andrew feel old, they should try being me. I’ve had nearly a thousand birthdays!

Back to Elisabeth: calm, capable, full of insight. Earlier this evening the way she enabled the singers to draw emotion from every note, with gentle guidance of timing and phrasing, brought me to tears. Good tears that is! There’s a line or two in Bob Chilcott’s Mid-Winter that always gets me. It goes something like “But only his mother, in her maiden bliss, worshipped the beloved with a kiss”. Somehow it feels like such a powerful message of love. I can’t really put it into words and I won’t deny that I am often a little sentimental when I listen to my lovely ladies, but it is simply wonderful! Plus, being sentimental is allowed at my age! I've seen a lot and I do sympathise with Elisabeth sometimes. Not only does she need to manage dozens of voices, she also has to remind everyone to smile and to not confuse when to sing wandering” and “wassailing.” The latter, it turns out, hasn’t been an easy task at all, yet smiling seemed to be easy for all the ladies this evening. That makes me smile too.

I've been thinking about my lovely pianists lately as well. Ben, of course, I’ve only got to know quite recently. He is bold and unrestrained, filling the nave with energy, chasing every note with gusto. He even composed his own arrangements to some of the carols this year. Hail Shine On was a joyful rendition of the words in While Shepherds’ Watched. Jean is a dear and much-loved friend – just as she is to so many of the ladies in the choir – gentle and giving, she lets the music breathe with love and warmth. Between them there’s  a perfect balance: fire and energy, love and grace

I guess I should probably call it a night soon. There will be lots more Christmas visitors coming in the next few days and I'll be shattered. However, before I forget and while the echoes of tonight’s fabulous concert linger in my ears, let me say a few thank yous. Thank you to every volunteer, musician, organiser, each family member and friend who visit both me and my colleague Old Brumby United Church, this Christmas to hear my ladies sing. Thanks to Elisabeth, Jean, Ben Riverside Brass Band, the instrumental players at tonight's event. Thanks also to Gwenifer and all those who work tirelessly for my Saints Singers! It takes some muscle to move chairs, tables, check lighting, do recording and I know not what else.

Ladies, it’s a given that you’re everything to me and this evening belongs to you. Every positive sentiment ever shared by you with one another on your very active WhatsApp group I share fully. You’re simply wonderful.

So where are we at: two Christmas concerts, a Festival of Trees, countless moments of shared song, and I, an old church standing since 1080, proud to be part of it all.

In the build up to an event  like tonight, I do look forward to a little bit of peace and quiet and time for reflection, but I must admit, now the last notes have actually faded, the audience has left and the quizzers have gone home, I’m feeling a little bit empty. I’m already looking forward to all my ladies coming back in the new year.

This year I’ve joined my ladies in every heartbeat, every smile, and every moment of togetherness. Nights like this remind me why I am here: for the music, for all the people and for the stories of community, kindness and shared memory that we tell so beautifully together.

Happy Christmas Everyone and Much Love from your one and only Winterton All Saints’ Church.