Virtual Christmas Carol Concert
Schoolchildren from across South Tyneside are helping to spread festive cheer with a new take on this year's annual Christmas Carol Concert.
Several schools have been taking part in the Virtual Christmas Carol Concert - a special pre-recorded collection of videos showcasing the Borough's children singing seasonal songs and Christmas carols.
The final touches are now being made to the virtual celebration ahead of its online screening on Monday 14 December, at 7pm.
As well as enjoying the musical talents of Borough youngsters, viewers will receive a festive message from the Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Norman Dick and Mayoress, Jean Williamson.
The Mayor said: "Every year we look forward to the Christmas Carol Concert. It's a real highlight of our Christmas programme of events.
"With the coronavirus pandemic preventing our usual staged performance from taking place this year in order to keep everyone safe, we simply couldn't let the children, and our communities, miss out on the opportunity to enjoy this very special musical event. No Christmas would be complete without children singing!
"We would encourage people to gather with their family by the fire, Christmas jumpers on, hot chocolate in hand and get online to enjoy a wonderful showcase of their favourite festive songs from some of the Borough's very talented schoolchildren.
"It promises to be a fabulous evening and is sure to bring some much-needed cheer at this time. We hope that people enjoy it and have fun singing along at home."
The Virtual Christmas Carol Concert features children from eight primary schools, including Bamburgh, Forest View, Hedworthfield, Lord Blyton, Marsden, St Gregory's RC, St Oswald's RC VA and St Bede's RC VA in South Shields. Ray Spencer MBE, Executive Director of The Customs House, acts as the compere.
The film will be streamed on the Council's YouTube channel and accessed through the Council's website and social media channels on Facebook and Twitter at 7pm on Monday 14 December. It will be available to watch again and again throughout the festive season.
Copies of the video are also being delivered to residential homes so that they too can join in the festive fun.
The Virtual Concert is just one of a series of activities taking place in South Tyneside over the festive season.
Throughout December, The Word National Centre for the Written Word, is encouraging families to get involved in a wide range of activities at home as part of its digital Christmas Advent Countdown. A new activity is being released each day, ranging from word searches, quizzes and crafts to creative writing challenges.
South Tyneside Library Service is also live streaming storytelling for younger children over social media every Thursday in the run up to Christmas. There are also craft activities for children to enjoy throughout December.
Visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/christmas for full details of Christmas in South Tyneside. Alternatively, follow on social media at www.facebook.com/southtynesideevents and Twitter @stynesideevents
For more details of online activities at The Word visit www.theword.org.uk