Dame Mary Berry, one of the country’s best loved cookery writers and television personalities, will be joining HRH Prince Edward and The Lord Mayor of the City of London for an online service in aid of charity. Led by the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists and The VOCES8 Foundation Carols for the City is the City of London’s first joint Christmas Carol Service, and will be streamed online on Tuesday 8 December at 5.30 p.m.
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, invites people from the City and beyond to celebrate the festive season with him and a distinguished line up of readers led by Dame Mary Berry DBE and HRH Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex KG, KCVO. In aid of four exceptional charities (The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists Charity, The VOCES8 Foundation, and The Friends of the City Churches) who represent the soul of the City,
Dame Mary Berry will be reading one of the lessons at the service.
She says: “I’m delighted to be able to support these charities to do their amazing work in London and beyond – and even more so that I get to have fun doing it. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. I’m looking forward to being part of Carols for the City.”
In this most challenging of years, families across the world are encouraged to celebrate the festive season together online; sung to, mulled wine and mince pie in hand, by the internationally renowned and city-based vocal ensemble VOCES8, sister group Apollo5 and local school students.
Carols for the City is woven from the traditional service of lessons and carols. The carols will be live streamed from the VOCES8 Centre (the Church of St Anne & St Agnes, Gresham Street) in the heart of the city. It’s a unique chance to listen to distinguished readers, carol together at home and contribute towards charities which change lives.
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell says: “It is important that those living and working in the City, and beyond, have the opportunity to come together and mark the importance of community and connection at Christmas. Change lives this Christmas and celebrate with us.”
Money raised from the service will go to four charities: The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists Charity, The VOCES8 Foundation, and The Friends of the City Churches. These charities in turn support a wide range of other charities, meaning many will benefit from donors’ generosity both in London and throughout the UK.
Readers include HRH Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex KG KCVO who is trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, one of The Lord Mayor’s Appeal’s partner charities. HRH Prince Edward will be joined by The Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey, Onyinye Udokporo and a student of Hammersmith Academy (co-founded by The Mercers’ Company and the Information Technologists’ Company).
The clergy are The Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Paul Kennedy (Priest of St Vedast-alias-Foster) and Marcus Walker (Rector of Great St Bartholomew). The organ will be played by Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley (Past Lord Mayor of the City of London), and broadcaster, organist and conductor Anna Lapwood.
Change lives this Christmas and celebrate with us – buy your tickets at https://carolsforthecity.org/.
