It was a pleasure to join Her Worship the Mayor, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Honorary Alderman of Essex Ray Howard MBE and other dignitaries at the Castle Point Civil Carol Service at Hadleigh Temple Salvation Army last night.

The Salvation Army Band, Songsters and Timbrels were excellent as usual, and we also enjoyed a very special performance from the wonderful St Katherine’s School Choir.

The service was led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Interfaith Minister Rev Tania Menegatti and I was honoured to be asked to perform a reading from Luke’s gospel about the birth of Christ.

The congregation also raised over £600 for Cancer Research UK.