Shrewsbury shoppers in fine voice for carols as hundreds attend service
It was not so much of a Silent Night in Shrewsbury as a noisy one when hundreds poured in to the town square for the annual carol service.
Led by Radio Shropshire's Eric Smith, who is currently appearing on stage at Theatre Severn as Baron Hardup in Cinderella, the event, which was broadcast live on the radio, attracted late night shoppers along with those just wanting to have a good sing-song.
The turn out was more than the organisers could have hoped for and the Square rang out to renditions of O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Hark The Herald Angels and Away In A Manger.
There was also music from Shrewsbury Brass Band and Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir who led the crowds. Town Crier Martin Wood was also present along with a number of town and county councillors, officers from Shrewsbury Town Council and town clerk Helen Ball.
Councillor Ioan Jones, mayor of Shrewsbury attended with his wife Sue and said: "It was a fantastic night. We had a brilliant crowd who sang their hearts out. It was a beautiful evening.
"I have lived in Shrewsbury for 30 years and it just gets better and better with bigger and bigger crowds.
"As it is held on the same night as late night shopping it draws people from all over the town although many travel in just for the carol service which says a lot. It helps the town economy and that can only be a good thing. It also makes people realise how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful town."
