Garden centre launches carol competition

Whether it’s a remake of a classic carol or Christmas song with new words, or a completely new song written to new music, Newbridge Nurseries is looking for the best musical talent in our area. The winning school will receive £500 towards their music department.

The competition is open to children aged five to 14, and entrants may submit their carol as an individual, as part of a small group, or as a whole class. Carols may be either humorous or traditional, but should convey what is so good about living in West Sussex, whether it be the county as a whole or individual towns and villages such as Horsham or Billingshurst. The carols must of course also make reference to Christmas.

To enter, contestants should send an audio recording of their carol via email (in MP3 or similar format) to [email protected] or by post (on an audio CD) to Caroline Burgess, PMW Communications, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP. The closing date for entries is 5pm on Monday 25th November.

Entrants may be given assistance from their teachers to help them write the carol (and music, should they wish).

Nigel Wait, Managing Director of Newbridge Nurseries, said: “The good old Christmas carol is of course a festive must, but each year we hear the same songs being performed. We decided to combine our love for a Christmas song with our love for the area in which we live, and what better way than to ask our local schools to create a brand new carol to celebrate, focusing on what is so great about Horsham and surrounding villages. We are delighted to offer the winning school £500 to spend towards musical instruments and resources, which we hope will inspire children to unleash and develop their musical talents.”

Finalists will be invited to perform their carol at a special concert due to take place at Newbridge Nurseries on Wednesday 4th December at 6.30pm. A panel of judges will then choose the winning school, which will be awarded their prize.

Tickets to the concert cost £3 each and proceeds will be donated to the charity Angels International, which helps to supply medical aid and promotes education and training for local doctors, nurses and health workers in Malawi, Africa.