St Nicholas To Perform Christmas Carol Roadshow Through Brecon

PUPILS FROM CHRIST COLLEGE’S JUNIOR SCHOOL, ST NICHOLAS HOUSE, WILL BE TAKING THE FESTIVE SPIRIT TO ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE TOWN OF BRECON NEXT MONTH AS PART OF A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA.

Thirty-eight pupils, aged seven to eleven, from St Nicholas House, have been singing at local residential homes and hospices since the junior section opened in 2014. And this year, the young singers will perform at six venues in just one day, on December 7, as part of their annual Christmas carol roadshow.

Pupils from Christ College’s junior school, St Nicholas House, will be taking the festive spirit to elderly people in the town of Brecon next month as part of a community initiative to support people with dementia.

Pupils will sing a mixed repertoire of traditional and modern carols at Trenewydd, Arosfa and Morgannwg Houses, the Usk Hospice, Brecon Hospital and in the town centre.

Julie Lewis, Head of Juniors at Christ College, said: “We are always keen to visit the elderly and sing carols in their residential homes at Christmas time. It has become a tradition, just like eagerly discovering and learning the new John Lewis Christmas ad song.

“Visiting all six venues this year will be a real challenge, but after learning how to help to create dementia friendly communities, we are more motivated than ever.

“In September, St Nicholas House organised for pupils, parents and members of staff to support the Alzheimer’s Society by becoming Dementia Friends. A one-hour information session was delivered by trained volunteer and local Dementia Friends Champion Joan Brown.

Julie explained: “We have always had a great affinity with the elderly, and the work we did with Dementia Friends this year has been a fantastic driving force in the preparation of our carol roadshow.

“Following the session with Joan, we set up an inter-generational project for our Year-6 pupils which consisted of visiting a local elderly residential home on a weekly basis, to undertake craft activities with several of the residents, many of whom live with dementia. We have loved these sessions and the children really enjoy going. The benefits to both resident and pupil is huge.” Pupils, who will sing about 20 minutes in each venue, will be recognizable by the red Santa hats they will be wearing. They will be supervised and supported by staff and teachers at St Nicholas House, some of whom will be involved in the performance, conducting and playing the keyboard or the guitar.

All will perform a special choral piece, “O Holy Night”, which will also be performed in the school’s carol service on the last day of term in Brecon Cathedral.

Times of the different performances are as follows:

Morgannwg House 10.30am

Town Centre 11.00am

Usk House Hospice 11.30am

Arosfa Day Centre 1.15pm

Brecon Hospital (Epynt Ward) 2.00pm

Trenewydd Residential Centre 2.45pm