VSO Christmas Carol Concert

Great evening in celebration of 55 years of VSO.

I was a little worried that this annual event might lose intimacy by moving for a year from the friendliness of St Martin in the Fields to the splendour of St Paul's - but it was certainly worth it with a super programme of carols, readings and music.

Starting with a flourishing fanfare with trumpets draped in VSO flags, the carols were well-balanced between choir and audience. This left the easier bits for us, though we still remarked on the terrible scanning of The First Nowell (sic) and the indecipherable words of O Come All Ye Faithful - anyone to abhor not the virgin's womb?

Better written by far were the works of the guest performers, Soumik and Souvid Datta playing Indian stringed sarod and tabla drums with just a hint of We Three Kings, whilst Angelique Kidjo from Benin brought some African power and passion - quite a privilege to hear her sing in such an unforgettable place.

But best of all were the readings - Griff Rhys Jones threw himself into Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, whilst Mick Lyons recited an incredibly powerful extract called Christmas Truce from the trenches of World War I.

Sue MacGregor was ideal to read the increasingly hilarious The Twelve Days of Christmas in her perfect BBC presenter's voice; and best of all was Hayley Mills' choice of two short, witty and perfectly-judged poems, Wendy Cope's Cathedral Carol Service and UA Fanthorpe's The Sheep Dog.

A great evening which raised loads of money for the good work of VSO, and will last long in the memory.