AROUND 2,000 people gathered in the centre of Romsey to sing Christmas carols, keeping up a more than 60-year-long tradition.

Rotary in Romsey’s annual Christmas carols evening has been running since 1957 and continued to thrive this year with choirs and families flocking to Market Place to sing all the classics from Silent Night to Away in a Manger.

The organisers are thanking everyone who went along with carollers raising around £3,000 for Romsey Rotary’s charities.

Romsey Abbey Choir and Michelmersh Silver Band led the carols but groups such as Romsey Male Voice Choir, Romsey Voices and Romsey Youth Choir could also be spotted among the crowds.

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Hampshire Chronicle: Rev Bryan Taphouse and the Vicar of Romsey, Rev Canon Thomas WhartonRev Bryan Taphouse and the Vicar of Romsey, Rev Canon Thomas Wharton (Image: Bryan Taphouse)

Around 25 children, aged 12 to 18, from Romsey Youth Choir were joined by their families and ex-choir companions who have since moved on to university.

Marion Maxley, choir director, said: “It was so lovely. We tend to go every year and last night was particularly beautiful because the weather was so lovely – it wasn’t too cold. Last year it was pouring with rain so the abbey was jammed with people

“It’s great for the kids to sing the traditional carols. It’s really nice to come back and be part of the community. Their eyes lit up when Ding Dong Merrily on High started because that’s one they all love.

“The town always looks so beautiful and the organisers did a brilliant job at putting the event together.

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“People wanted to give and support the event. We even hung around afterwards and Michelmersh Silver Band played a few more songs.

“It’s really important to get involved with community events like these and perform side by side with Romsey. It brings everyone together and it doesn’t matter whether people can sing or not or if they go to church. It’s very special.”

‘Carols in the Marketplace’ is held under the lights of the Christmas tree on the last Monday before Christmas each year.

This year’s event on Monday, December 18 was sponsored Ace Liftaway and SJT Services.

The Rotary Club of Romsey Test has around 60 members who meet weekly and organise events such as Carols in the Marketplace and Walk the Test Way to support local charities.