A Very Festive Friday for Loftus Parish!

Friday 16th December 2016 was a very “Festive Friday” in Loftus Parish, which host not one, not two, but three festive events all on the same day!!!

Handale Primary School Christmas Carol Service

On the morning of Friday 16th December 2016 students, staff, parents, family and friends of Handale Primary School Packed Saint Leonard’s Parish Church Loftus for their annual Christmas Carol Service.

Everyone joined in with the singing of traditional Christmas carols and songs, while the excellent Handale School Choir performed a number of musical items and numerous descants to traditional Christmas Carols.

Meantime, younger members of the School formed a Nativity Scene tableau the front of church.

Whitecliffe Primary Academy Christmas Carol Service

On the afternoon of Friday 16th December 2016 students, staff, family and friends from the community at Carlin How and Skinningrove came to Saint Helen’s Parish Church in Carlin How for their annual Christmas Carol Service.

This year the singing was led by Mrs Cunningham and the new Whitecliffe Academy Choir, who were accompanied by Mr Richard Bendelow on the magnificent Church Organ.  Everyone joined in with the traditional Christmas carols and songs, while members of Key Stage One provided a traditional Nativity Tableau at the front of Saint Helen’s Church.

The service brought to a conclusion the Autumn Term, with everyone singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas!”

Loftus Christmas Tree Festival Begins with Carol Singing with Marske Brass Band!

The first ever Loftus Christmas Tree Festival opened on on the evening of Friday 16th December 2016 with open air Carol Singing in Saint Leonard Churchyard accompanied by the excellent musicians of Marske Brass Band.  Over ninety people were in attendance, including the Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland Cllr Mr Barry Hunt.

Saint Leonard’s Church was open for visitors to see the excellent Christmas Trees, all of which had been donated by the businesses, schools and community groups of Loftus Parish; while members of the Loftus WI provided seasonal refreshments.

Father Adam Gaunt, Rector of Loftus said, “Today’s ‘Festive Friday’ events have been awesome! To see both our wonderful church building filled with children celebrating the run up to Christmas and to see the community rallying around to provide an uplifting Christmas Tree Festival has been heart warming!  I am grateful to everyone who has made this day such a wonderful success.”

Please note that the Handale School Photographs have been used with the express permission of the Headteacher.