I ALWAYS look forward to this annual event, and am never disappointed.

The concert, with Muller Cleobury Mortimer Band, was held on Friday and Saturday, and children from Great Witley School took part on Friday.

I went on Saturday, when the gentlemen in red were joined by Burlish Middle School Choir.

As usual the men obviously enjoyed every minute, and treated us to carols old and new, from Christ-Child in the Manger to Deck the Hall.

The band were excellent in upbeat numbers such as Stop the Cavalry and a swinging God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, but were nowhere near smooth enough in Cantaloube's Bailero.

Both band and children had chosen Stille Nacht - the youngsters won!

The children sang beautifully. I was particularly impressed by their clarity of lyrics, and good harmony, in such as Softly The Night is Sleeping and Christmas Cards.

Frances Gordon revealed a talent for comic monologues, pointing out that "Spot of the Antarctic" was the first to reach the South Pole, then telling the story of "Albert's Plum Pud", the writer of which, Arthur Wallace, was in the audience.

One event took the edge off the concert slightly, and that was when a member of the choir was taken ill, causing everyone some concern but, thankfully, he recovered sufficiently to walk off the stage.

As always the audience enjoyed joining in the popular carols such as Once In Royal David's City.

This concert has certainly put me in the mood for Christmas.

VJS