Festive fun for all at Rotary Club Christmas celebration

Mayor singing along with Hospice Hi-Notes

The concert, organised by the Rotary Club of Halifax and sponsored by Investec and Charlesworth Estates, is expected to raise over £7000 for Overgate Hospice and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Christine Harris, the Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale, Councillor Howard Blagbrough and Mrs Catherine Kirk, and the Rotary District Governor, Rtn Phil Poole.

They were entertained by a variety of festive music, song and dance compered by Canon Hilary Barber.

Rotary Young Musician Zachary Smith opened the concert with the first verse solo of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, followed by the Lindley School Choir, the BBC Songs of Praise Choir of the Year 2016.

This was their first appearance at the annual concert.

The Ryburn Dance Academy performed two dances of high quality and energy which represented their status as National Schools Finalists.

Zachary Smith gave a wonderful solo of ‘A Winter’s Tale’, and the Hospice Hi-Notes sang three festive songs beforegiving a rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

The talented Elland Silver Youth Band made their fourth appearance at the concert and entertained the audience with their music.

They proved they were the National Youth Intermediate Champions, and the European Youth Band Champions Runners-up.

Rotarian Peter Lloyd, chair of the planning committee, said: “We are delighted that the good people of Halifax support this concert so well in order to raise funds for two such wonderful hospices.

“Equally, we are delighted that we can provide for them a wonderful concert displaying the stunning talent of so many young people.”

Rotary President David Roper thanked everyone for their support and said “the concert was a great success with a large audience enjoying and appreciating enthusiastically very high quality music and dance.”

Next year’s concert will be on December 9 2017.