It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas!

Photo: Anthony Miller

OLDHAM’S stunning parish church, the perfect venue for the Festival of Carols.

HUNDREDS of people got into the festive spirit at the Oldham Evening Chronicle’s annual Festival of Carols.

The event at Oldham Parish Church featured a range of Christmas favourites from traditional carols to modern songs — and even a comedy poem about nits!

The festival — at the Parish Church every year since 1980 — was hosted by former BBC broadcaster Marjorie Stephinson and featured performances by Crompton House School band, Saddleworth Male Voice Choir, the choirs from St Joseph’s and St John’s primary schools and the choral speaking group from St Agnes Primary School.

There were also solos from singer Cara May Robinson, soprano Eleanor Garside and cellist Melanie Jones.

The event, in aid of the Oldham Action Fund, closed with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.

Chronicle managing editor David Whaley said: “There is a real feeling that Christmas has started when we have the carol festival. It is a fabulous family event and the smiles on everyone’s faces as they were leaving made it all worthwhile.”