The Hunter Centre’s Annual Christmas Concert 2025

Once again, St Christopher’s Church in Haslemere was filled to capacity for The Hunter Centre’s annual Christmas Concert held in aid of the work the Charity does to support those living with dementia.

After a warm welcome to all from Rev’d Chris Bessant, the service opened with a first verse solo of Silent Night, sung beautifully by Bea Foulds from the Parish Junior choir. The choir and choirmaster Clive Osgood treated us to a wonderful mix of festive songs later in the programme as did The Winterbourne Singers, regular supporters of The Hunter Centre’s Christmas concerts.  Their repertoire, ranging from Poulenc’s Ave Maria to Winter Wonderland, was as magnificent as ever, not to mention their impromptu soaring harmonies in the carols. We had an impressive solo of O Holy Night from 10 year old Sebastian Myers, a member of Haslemere’s Church Youth Club, The Den. Hindhead Music Centre’s talented ‘Surrey Young Strings’ gave a spirited rendition of a medley from Verdi’s La Traviata and, by way of contrast, raised a delighted smile with Plink Plank Plunk by Leroy Anderson.

All that music was accompanied by a mixture of readings and verse. We heard the words of Luke 1: 26-35, a poem called The Song of the Baubles, and were privileged to hear two wonderful original compositions from members of the congregation, Jessica Jones and Stuart Harrod - Stuart’s moving poem about a life shared with dementia reminding us why we were all there.

The congregation applauded with appreciation throughout and sang the carols at full voice. Greg Stafford MP and Patron of The Hunter Centre summed up the evening, praising the work of the Charity and thanking on their behalf the many supporters and participants in the concert.

Rev’d Chris Bessant gave the closing blessing and invited the congregation to stay on and enjoy a chat over mulled wine and mince pies before heading home.