The Highgate Society has organised carols in Pond Square for over 40 years. This joyous event brings many families and friends, those of all faiths and none, to Highgate Village to sing together.
This is the Society’s Christmas present to Highgate and the surrounding areas. Thank you, Highgate School who are playing for us again this year. Past contributors include Channing School choir and the Salvation Army.
Every year, a collection is taken for a local charity, such as the North London Hospice, the Harington Scheme or Jacksons Lane Community Arts Centre. The Highgate Society was involved in setting up the last two organisations, and this year the collection will support the latter’s annual Christmas Day lunch offered to older and isolated residents.
Society volunteers print out posters and carols sheets, set up the sound system, put out chairs (kindly provided by the United Reformed Church) and clear up at the end. I have been closely involved for 20 years and my husband Derek Hall, a former chair of the Society, was master of ceremonies, a role taken over in 2010 by our son Dan Hall who encourages singing with gusto! Special thanks go to Chris Underhill, a great friend and supporter of this event and of the village for many years.
The carol concert will be on December 8 and starts at 6.30pm. It will last about 45 minutes, then all are welcomed into the society’s hall at 10A where our events group serve mulled wine and mince pies. This event benefits local pubs and restaurants in the village, as singing outside makes you hungry! It also encourages everyone to support our shops, whose festive decorations, along with the Christmas lights make the village even prettier.
Donations towards the Lights Appeal are welcomed by organisers Prickett & Ellis, Winkworths and Taylor Gibbs. This year, Camden ward councillors supported extra funding to top up regular contributions from local businesses to enable the lights to shine in Pond Square.
It will be wonderful to see happy faces and happy children again around the ‘Narnia lamp’ after the sadness of Covid-19. One year, soft snow began to settle as we sang. Magic! Do come.
Sue Hall has been a Highgate Society member since 1993, has served on its council and chaired the events group.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here