Carols get Buckie in festive spirit
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AS the final, frenzied build-up to Christmas got into full swing, it was time last Sunday to pause and ponder the true meaning of Christmas when a carol service was held in Buckie’s Cluny Square.
From 2.30pm-4pm the second Carols in the Square event, organised by Buckie and District Community Choir, saw the audience and passers-by alike left entranced by the traditional Christmas songs which rang across the centre of town.
Joining the choir were members of Findochty Primary School’s Glee Club, who delighted the crowd with their renditions of more modern Christmas songs.
No festive event would be worth the name without a visit from the man of the season, Santa himself, who took time out from his hectic seasonal preparations to make an appearance. He handed out gifts to children in the crowd plus small gifts to the youngsters from Findochty Primary.
Struan House guest house also joined in the spirit of good will, handing our free drinks.
One of those delighted with the response to the afternoon was choir chairwoman Kathleen Thompson.
“We’re all just delighted with how the concert went,” she said.
“Findochty Glee Club were excellent and people really appreciated the 12 or so modern Christmas songs they did, which were very fresh and lively. Although they were hit with some sickness call-offs it didn’t put them off coming along and performing wonderfully.
“Many thanks to them and Findochty staff members Jennifer MacLeod and Mhaire Cowie, they all worked so hard.
“We had collection buckets out among the crowd which raised over £250, those proceeds going to the Glee Club.
“The choir focused on the more traditional carols and it was wonderful to see so many people in the audience joining in. We were also lucky with the weather.
“All in all, we’re all very heartened by the response to this our second Carols in the Square concert. I think it's a lovely, family way to start the festive season.”
In addition to the members of the choir and the Glee Club, there were others in line for praise in helping out at the concert.
Mrs Thompson continued: “We’d like to thank Paul T for doing our sound for the concert.
“He’s become very much part of the choir family and we’re delighted to have him.
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to Gifford and Robert at Struan House for handing out free drinks to the audience during the concert.
“Of course, we’re so grateful to everyone who either came along for the whole concert or dropped by to enjoy some of the carols.”
Mrs Thompson added that discussions would be due to take place in the new year with a view to possibly holding a similar event next festive season.
It has been a busy festive season for the choir.
Over the evenings of December 5-6 the choir could be found at Buckie High's Highfield Hall for their It's Christmas concert.
On December 1, they performed, with others, at the Reflections at Christmas concert at the South and West Church.
