Christmas in South East Kent

Once again the Hythe Band of the Salvation Army (Bandmaster Richard Carroll) were able to spread the Gospel through Christmas music during December 2007. The band participated in events such as the Mayoress of Dover’s Christmas Ball, held in the historic Dover Town Hall. Other highlights included A Christmas Spectacular in Hythe High Street, which was severely curtailed by rain (despite the appalling weather, the band played on in the Town Hall Undercroft, with a crowd packed in, maintaining its history of 100% attendance at this event) and Carols in the Barn at the South of England Rare Breeds Centre, with people and animals both packed into the barn, giving one the special “smell” of Christmas!

The Corps Carol Service was highly successful, this year featuring the Shepway Gospel Choir, which is led by Hythe Songster Leader Wes Carroll. The choir joined with the Hythe Songsters and the entire congregation to perform the leader’s gospel-rock arrangement of Joy to the World.

Despite being busy with these events, the band also found time to visit homes for the elderly and performed in Canterbury, Saltwood and Appledore, with almost the entire population of the latter village turning out for an open-air Carol Sing-along.