Primary school pupils raise the roof in annual choir competition

Hundreds of primary school pupils came together to raise the roof of St John The Baptist Church in Spalding with a very festive feel in the annual school choir competition.

The event included renditions from ten schools from Spalding, Sutton Bridge, Gedney Drove End and Deeping St James.
And it was the federated primary schools of Westmere at Sutton Bridge and Gedney Drove End which judges said gave the top performance. The schools won £300 from Majestic Bingo and electrical prizes from Hughes in Spalding.

Linchfield Community Primary School was runner-up (£200) and Wygate Park Academy was third (£50).

The event was also the stage for dozens of service veterans to receive a special HM Armed Forces medal, presented by South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes.

Paul Watkin-Groves, of EMG Motor Group, presented each school with £50 prize money for taking part.

Jan Whitbourn, of event organiser Tulip Radio, said: “It was amazing to see so many excited faces waiting to sing and memorising all their words before they came on. The teachers are the ones we need to thank for them all being there and singing so well.

“The children seemed to all enjoy what they sang and were very excited when they saw Father Christmas appear to give them a present at the end of the event.
“I have had some calls from veterans who all thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It was one of the most challenging events I have done but it went well. It was challenging as it wasn’t outside and there is always so much more that we have to look at for health and safety reasons and the team from the church helped with the Royal Naval Association, Royal British Legion and the Royal Lincolns all helped to make it the success that it was.

“We would like to thank Gail Ridley, from Morrisons, and Matthew Clark, from Alley Catz, for their contribution to the event as well.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us especially the sponsors, as well as the schools who got involved and worked so hard.
“Roll on next year – we’re thinking about Friday, December 1 so get it in your diary!”

Other event supporters: South Holland District Council, Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce, Bakkavor, AlleyCatz and Hammond Family Pantomime.

See December 8 edition of The Voice for more photos