Carollers Help Local Charities Despite Weather Problems

In the city of Lincoln, for many residents and visitors alike, nothing is more synonymous of the way in which the city celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ than the generosity shown in the donations they make to the street-strolling, tune-touting, Our Lady's Carollers who make such a positive make collecting money for local charities.

The Carollers were not deterred entirely by the bad weather that caused disruption to many - and even led to the cancellation of the famous Lincoln Christmas Market - and that said had a reasonable year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned.

The Carollers raised around £1,400.00 for local charities this year. Some of the charities to receive donations are:

• Special Families (Cherry Willingham)
• Marriage Care

A Christmas of Carolling Helps Local Charities

As January begins to slip away and the hours of daylight steadily increase our minds turn away from thoughts of Christmas. However, regular readers will be aware that in the winter months I spend my time out and about with the Our Lady's Carollers collecting money for local charities..

We had another good year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned. We went to lots of events, including the opening of the Lincoln Christmas Market where we were part of the official opening, private parties, singing in the resturants of the city or even on the streets of the Bailgate area we had a very enjoyable season.

The Carollers raised around £2,500.00 for local charities this year and the following charities will recieve donations of between £100 - £300:

1. Special Families (Cherry Willingham)
2. Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society
3. Catholic Deaf Service
4. Marriage Care
5. St. Barnabas Family Support Group

The majority of the monies raised in 2009 will be donated to Strut in the Community a charity which provided short breaks for children and young people with disabilities and special needs in Lincolnshire, who have had financial difficulties during the recession.

The Lincolnshire Echo reported earlier in the year that Strut in the Community, which supports around one hundred and fifty disabled county children each year, has seen a dramatic cut in donations coupled with higher overheads and now needs to find at least £10,000 to plug a funding gap; up to seven members of staff may still have to be made redundant in the coming months.

Organisation Manager, Ms Aimee Holland was quoted as saying:

"We have seen an £86,000 drop in donations from last financial year to this and despite making significant changes to the charity, moving into community based settings for care and opening a new showroom for furniture, we have not been able to bridge the gap this has created in the budget."

Nettleham's Conservatives Enjoy Festive Coffee Morning Success

Nettleham & District Conservatives hosted a Coffee Morning at the Large Hall of the Old School, Nettleham on Saturday. Local Member of Parliament, Edward Leigh was in attendance and gave a rousing speech calling local activists to be ready for a general election at any time.

Above: Members of the Committee of Nettleham & Dsitrict Conservatives with Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers.

An excellent selection of carols were provided by Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers who collect for local charities.

Giles McNeill, Branch Secretary, said:

"We've had a bit of a difficult time in recent weeks in West Lindsey, but here on the Lincoln fringe we are continuing to pull together to get David Cameron into Number 10, Edward Leigh re-elected and local councillors and more local candidates elected to the district council."

Lincoln Christmas Market Carolling

This coming weekend hails the return to Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter the annual Christmas Market.

Visitors are welcomed to this beautiful city and the traditional Christmas Market, where everybody can enjoy cultural entertainment and stroll around three hundred stalls nestled with in the medieval square and surrounding area.
Lincoln Christmas Market has developed dramatically since it began as the UK’s first German-style traditional market with just 11 stalls.

The Christmas Market gives visitors and residents a truly festive experience, with a traditional, high quality event for all the family.

At 6:00pm on the impressive West Front steps of the Cathedral Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers - a noted local highlight (Daily Telegraph) - will perform as part of the official programme prior to the arrival of the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and the Right Worshipful, the Mayor of Lincoln who will officially open the Christmas Market, after evensong, at approximate 6:15pm, Thursday, 3rd December. Greetings are expected to be made by the Oberburgermeister from Neustadt, the town twinned with the City of Lincoln.

Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers in Castle Square

Following this the Boys and girls of the Cathedral Choirs will sing and two professional opera singers thereafter.

Giles McNeill said:

"The Christmas Market is such a part of the seasonal festivities ofLincoln.

"Love it or loath it, it one thing the city is known for and does well. I am pround to be a member of the Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers and look forward to entertaining the crowd on Thursday evening."

£3,000 Raised for Local Charities.

Giles McNeill writes:

Many readers will be aware that in the winter months I spend my time out and about in Lincoln and across the county with the Our Lady's Carollers collecting money for local charities.We had another good year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned. We went to lots of events, the turning on of the Christmas Lights on Lincoln High Street, The Christmas Market, Saxilby History Group, amongst many others.

The Carollers raised just shy of £3000.00 for charity this year donations are to be made to:

1. Lincoln Disabled Inclusive Swimming Club
2. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre
3. Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance
4. Mind
5. Lincoln & District Multiple Sclerosis Society
6. Lincoln Community Larder
7. Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society
8. St. Peter & St. Paul's School
9. The Mayor's Charity Appeal (Lincoln Alzhelmers' Society/ Lincoln Breast Cancer Unit)

All the charities recieved donations of between £200 - £500