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beer & carols

Why I go to Beer and Carols

A few years ago whilst at Greenbelt I took part in their annual Beer and Hymns event. It’s a great event that involves doing exactly what it says. Drinking beer (ales, cider, wines etc) and singing along to various hymns.

There is nothing quite like witnessing hundreds of merry people belting out Jerusalem. Then someone had the excellent idea to the same event at one of our locals at Christmas time and sing carols.

With the number of talented people we have in our Church it only seems right to show off that talent at a fun event such as this. I love catching up with people at Christmas and spending time singing carols and having a drink or two is the perfect way to do so. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and welcome them in to our community.

It’s so much better than the usual way of carolling as you get to stay indoors in the warmth with family and friends and it is encouraged to have a drink whilst singing. All things that I definitely approve of at Christmas time!

I also love watching the regulars of the pub slowly start to join in as the evening progresses and by the end of the night everyone in the pub is merrily singing along. All in all a perfect Christmas past time and a lovely way to get you into the spirit of Christmas...with only a mild headache the next day.

Ruth Woods

the joy of beer & carols

When asked to write a few words on Beer & Carols the first ones I came up with were Joy, Community and Christmas. Nothing for me builds the excitement of Christmas quite like it, other than maybe the dressing of our tree!

I’ve been going along since it started back at The Pump & Tap (God rest her soul) several years ago. Last year’s hoorah was down at The Western and a damn good time it was.

I think in our busy lives we can forget what true joy is, thinking of Christmas as ‘just for the kids’. I know it sounds corny but sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Every year I’ve played in the scratch band (me on Trumpet, oh yes) and there’s nothing quite like blasting out the tune to “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” while it’s being roared back at you by 150 slightly inebriated people packed elbow to elbow.

From gargling displays and comical carol sheets to unplanned jazz trumpet solos it’s always been well received (maybe not the trumpet solos). The community of Westcotes is a great place to live and the support for the event has been fantastic, hopefully it will go from strength to strength.

So why not come down this Christmas and see what the fuss is about? Remember to get a round in for the band!

See you there

Tom “Blow my own trumpet” Andrews