For over 30 years Rotary has been hosting A Concert for Christmas at Harpenden’s Methodist Church, given by the Harpenden and District Primary Schools’ Choir and including a collection in aid of their President’s charity.

This year there was a happy coincidence with the President’s cause being the organisers of the children’s choir, Harpenden Plus Partnership, a free and confidential service for schools. Donations received are put towards funding of the Family Support Workers and Crisis counselling service, a local schools intervention resource for children and families in emotional distress.

Following a morning rehearsal, the choir, made up of some 130 children from 14 local primary and junior schools, had an afternoon dress rehearsal which allowed more family members to enjoy the performance. This quite astonishing accomplishment was overseen by Helen Fitzakerly the Schools’ Coordinator. Helen has been involved in the concert for over 20 years, combining it with her day job as Manager of the Harpenden Plus Partnership.

As ever, the evening concert combined carols with the choir and audience, songs by the Primary Schools’ Choir and readings by the children themselves, delivered in beautiful harmony with confidence and clarity.

In the audience were teachers from the schools together with 150 invited parents and guardians.

The Revd Mark Hammond of the Methodist Church welcomed the audience, introduced the evening and gave the final blessing. Rotary in Harpenden President Terry Heritage introduced Helen Fitzakerly, who made the appeal on behalf of the Harpenden Plus Partnership, after which a collection was taken.

Terry Heritage thanked to the minister for the use of the church, the teachers for all the hard work with the children and the audience for their generosity.