Norden villagers sing Christmas carols and kick off the Yuletide week

Dozens of Norden villagers braved the rain to sing Christmas carols and kick off the Yuletide week

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Dozens of Norden villagers braved the rain to sing Christmas carols and kick off the Yuletide week.

Friends of Norden Jubilee Park held their latest event in the green area off Hutchinson Road.

Families came to enjoy mince pies, jam biscuits, mulled wine as brass band musicians from the Rochdale Music Service played Christmas carols.

Carols included Away in a Manger, Silent Night and Once in Royal David’s city. Rudolph the Red Rose Reindeer and We Wish You a Merry Christmas was also sung.

Father Christmas also made an appearance handing out prezzies to youngsters who had braved the elements.

Because of the weather, the concert finished off in the Bridge Inn where families could also tuck in to potato hash and peas kindly donated by Café Eden.

On the night, the Friends presented a cheque of £321 for Rochdale MacMillan Nurses to Emma Metcalfe, daughter of the late Councillor Ann Metcalfe.

Councillor Metcalfe helped set up the Friends group and the committee agreed to raise funds for the Nurses in 2013/14 in her memory.

Ben Greenwood, Treasurer of the Friends group, said: “It went really well. It was great to see so many people attend. It rained really heavily half way through the concert so we had to go into the Bridge Inn where the band carried on playing festive tunes.

“The brass band from the Rochdale Music Service was excellent as always and Sue Verity, from Rochdale Youth Orchestra, did a great job at conducting the band as well as organising the music and song selection. We also had a soloist with a lovely voice leading some of the carols.

“I want to thank everyone who donated things to give out at the concert including Café Eden, the Bridge Inn, Ashworth Nursery and many others. I want to thank everyone who helped out as well including everyone who helped set up and especially the kind people who donated the Christmas tree, the flood lights and the generators. We couldn’t put these events on for Norden families without all the help businesses, individuals and organisations give us.”