On Wednesday 17 December, the United Reformed Church on London Street opened its doors to welcome the community for Basingstoke Samaritans’ Christmas Carol Concert.
As people arrived from the cold evening outside, they were greeted by the glow of the church, friendly faces, and the comforting scents of mulled wine and mince pies.
A total of 157 people joined us on the night, alongside the 38 members of the BSC Chorale. There was a gentle hum of conversation as friends, neighbours and supporters settled into their seats, sharing a moment of calm together in the busy lead-up to Christmas.
Music that filled the church
The evening’s music was led by conductor Ian May-Miller, who brought together the choir, musicians and programme with great care. Accompanied on organ and piano by David Bridgman, the BSC Chorale filled the church with rich harmonies and familiar carols, creating an atmosphere that felt both uplifting and reflective.
The warmth of the performance was felt throughout the audience, and it was clear how much the choir enjoyed sharing their music with the community. Ian spoke about what a pleasure it had been to perform for Samaritans, a sentiment that was warmly echoed by those attending.
Words that truly resonated
We were honoured to welcome Deputy Mayor Cllr Jacky Tustain, who gave a heartfelt and moving speech in support of Samaritans. She spoke openly about the importance of listening and kindness, and about the difference Samaritans volunteers make for people who are struggling to cope.
Her words resonated deeply and helped inspire the generosity shown on the night, with over £500 donated during the concert.
A generous response from the community
Thanks to ticket sales and donations, the evening raised an incredible £1,932.31. Every pound raised will help Basingstoke Samaritans continue to be there for people in our local community, day and night, whenever they need someone to listen.
The interval refreshments were enjoyed by all, with around 140 mince pies and 26 bottles of mulled wine served by Samaritans volunteers. Many of these were generously donated by volunteers and local businesses, adding to the strong sense of community spirit throughout the evening.
Thank you for making it possible
This special evening was made possible by the generosity, goodwill and teamwork of many people. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers, friends and supporters who helped with preparations, catering, welcoming guests and clearing up afterwards.
We’re also very grateful to:
- Tesco and Aldi for donating and discounting mince pies and mulled wine
- Macmillan Publishers for printing the programme free of charge and Macmillan JCB for donating £200 towards the cost of the hall
- Kathy May-Miller and her colleagues for printing the programmes free of charge
Most of all, thank you to everyone who joined us and supported the concert. Coming together through music, conversation and shared kindness reminded us how powerful community can be — especially at a time of year that can feel difficult for many.