A wonderful start to the festive season

The beautiful seasonal service was conducted by the Rector of St Giles' Cripplegate, Reverend Katharine Rumens. It is a great privilege to be able to celebrate this perennially popular event so close to the place where The Lady Eleanor Holles School was founded and we are very grateful to her.

There was a full programme of stunning music, from traditional carols such as Silent Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem, to beautiful Seraphims like Ding Dong Merrily on High and the Cantata In Dulci Jubilo. All provided courtesy of the amazingly-talented Holles Singers, conducted by LEH Director of Music Miranda Ashe, with Brendan Ashe on piano, and Anne Marsden Thomas MBE playing the organ.

There were Bible readings and traditional Christmas poems, from David King, Chair of the Governors, Head Mistress Mrs Hanbury, Director of Development and Communications Mrs Blaiklock and the Head Girl Anna Hopley, with two of the Deputy Head Girls, Niamh Campbell and Lucy Tisch.  Readings were also given by several of the alumnae who attended: Caroline Dinsdale (who used to be Mrs Hanbury's PA), Maria-Teresa Addison (LEH 1987-1994),  Greta Harrison (LEH 2006-2017), Julia Jolliffe (LEH 2002-2009) and Janet Bazley (LEH 1965-1975). A heartfelt thank you to all of them.

A collection was taken and the proceeds will be divided between the school's charity for 2019/20, Plastic Oceans UK, and St Giles' Cripplegate. The service was followed by a lively mince pies and mulled wine reception, before it was time to face the cold and the train stike journey home.