Christmas concerts are to be revived

The events were a popular feature in the run-up to Christmas in communities around Steyning. They stopped in 1987, when they were replaced by ‘caralthons’. These were one-day events prior to Christmas, held at Steyning Grammar School, when local musicians, groups and choirs performed throughout the day.

Mr Cockman explained: “ In 1987, I had realised I was letting the school to all sorts of musicians whose performance was considerably better than ours, so why not celebrate in comfort with some good music and raise money that way.”

The popular carolthons ran until 2002. raising significant money for different charities.

After they ended, Mr Cockman kept one carol-singing group going in Steyning – until last year, when for the very first time, the severe weather had the last word.

He said: “So now I’m back to the same decision I made all those years ago.

“I’ve hired the Saxon Room at the Steyning Centre for the evenings of this Friday, December 10 and Saturday December 11 from 7.30pm for some cheerful Christmas readings and music provided by my friends.”

From years of running Christmas events, he has built up a large collection of Christmas material – and written some himself. The events should prove to be warm and cheerful evenings with fine entertainment.

There will be no charge for admission, just a retiring collection for charities like Barnardos, NSPCC, Save the Children, but ickets are needed so that numbers are controlled, available from Steyning Bookshop in Steyning High Street.

George Cockman is still associated with Steyning Grammar School as honorary chaplain to the Boarding House.

On Sunday December 12 at 7pm the candlelit evening service at the parish church will be led by the Boarders.

The service is entitled ‘The Soft Whisper of A Voice’ and based on one that the school used for its Christmas Celebration in 1991. Everyone is welcome