Sawbridgeworth churches respond to Facebook campaign for doorstep carolling

Churches have responded to a call for an alternative carolling sing-song in Sawbridgeworth on Christmas Eve after the annual Carols On Fair Green event was cancelled.

A call went out on the town’s Facebook Group from Abi Roberts for the community to join in a carols event on their doorsteps after the pandemic put paid to Sawbridgeworth and District Rotary Club’s Fair Green event.

Abi, who works in marketing in the events industry, said: “Christmas carolling on the green is a family tradition of ours. We’ve attended the carolling for 12-plus years and it really does get us in the Christmas spirit.

“So as Christmas carolling on the green has been cancelled this year, I thought it would be good to suggest a Christmas carolling on your own doorstep on Christmas Eve at 7pm (I believe the usual time the carols start). Maybe we could all sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas!”

Abi’s suggestion was jumped on by scores of fellow residents, with some looking to expand the idea with more carols sung and song sheets distributed.

This week a statement was issued by the Rotary club saying it was “pleased to throw our support behind a major alternative event”.

The statement added: “Devised by our vicar, Father Simon [Vivian], and our Evangelical Congregational Church minister, Gary Hanson, they will videostream carols live from Great St Mary’s for us to join in at home at the usual time of 6.30pm on Christmas Eve. The choir will be led by musical director David Wood, who has previously led Rotary’s Carols on Fair Green.”

The Rotary club reassured residents that donations can still be made by text to the various charities supported.

Former Leventhorpe School student Abi attended a Zoom meeting of Sawbridgeworth Town Council and told councillors of the campaign, asking for their support, urging that it be a community-led event.

After speaking in the public forum, Abi heard town clerk Richard Bowran detail the Rotary club plans and Cllr Eric Buckmaster asked if it was “in keeping” with what she wanted.

Abi said she loved the updated plan and offered to distribute leaflets about the event around the town. She was asked to liaise with town project manager Joanne Sargant about the finer details of the event.

Mayor Cllr Annelise Furnace praised Abi’s plan, saying it reflected what a “warm community we have”.

After the meeting Abi told the Indie she was delighted to get the support of the town council, but had concerns that if the event was too long it would preclude older people and children from taking part.