CAROLS SUNG ON RIVERBANKS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28160, 26 December 1956, Page 8

CAROLS SUNG ON RIVERBANKS

More Than 15,000 Take Part

ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT FESTIVAL

Encouraged by the warm evening, a crowd of more than 15,000 gathered on the banks of the Avon on Christmas Eve to sing carols by the light of wax tapers. The crowd extended from the Bridge of Remembrance along Oxford and Cambridge terraces to the lawn opposite the Canterbury Public Library. The banks of the Avon were crowded right down to the water’s cage. Many persons had cameras to photograph the hundreds of tiny lights reflected in the river and shining on the fresh leaves of the trees.

From a bandstand on the lawn opposite the Y.M.C.A., music was played by the Salvation Army Citadel Band, led by Senior-Captain Wesley Simpson. At first, the crowd showed the New Zealander’s usual reluctance to sing in public, but encouraged by the vigorous example of Senior-Captain Simpson, they were singing with considerable volume and great enthusiasm towards the end of the programme. The printed programmes contained the words of such traditional favourites as ‘‘Silent Night.” ‘‘O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Good King Wenceslas,” as well as others which seemed to be unfamiliar to the majority.

A short address was given bv the Pev. A. K. Fetch, of the Durham Street Methodist Church, and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. M. W Wilson, of Knox Presbyterian Church. Except a few who were reluctant to leave until the band had stopped the playing, the big crowd dispersed very quickly to the accompaniment of “Jingle Bells.” The Carols by Candlelight festival was organised by the Y.M.C.A. . It was the eighth of its kind.