One of the most special moments in Walpole’s annual calendar is our Charity Christmas Carol Concert, this year taking place on Monday 5th December at the exquisite Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace, built by Henry VIII for his short-lived marriage to Anne of Cleves and subsequent host to many, more successful Royal unions (not least the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert). It’s an incredible privilege to be able to hold a service just for Walpole members in such a private and historic place, and I’m hugely grateful to The Reverend Canon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal and Deputy Clerk of the Closet (isn't that the most gloriously Tudor job title you’ve ever heard?). As if to gild the lily, the service is followed by a party at Fortnum & Mason. Tell me if there's a better way to get Christmas started.
Celebrating the joy of Christmas with lessons and carols at the intimate, beautiful Chapel Royal with fellow Walpole members never fails to fill one with the Christmas spirit, but this year it has an added poignancy. For the first time in two years we can feel confident of Christmas not being cancelled. After the difficulties and sorrows of the pandemic, and the challenges that this year has wrought, it feels more important than ever to count one’s blessings, to give thanks, and, as Christmas approaches, to spend some time in quiet contemplation of its message of love, of peace, and of giving selflessly.
The Walpole Charity Christmas Carol Concert and party is ticketed, not only because the Chapel Royal is tiny and so the capacity is limited, but also because every penny of the ticket price goes to raise money for the Chapel Royal itself. There are just 23 tickets left, so I would strongly recommend you book now so you can experience just how special an occasion it is.
Incidentally, the 5th December is the eve of St Nicholas – a festival more commonly celebrated on the continent than in the UK and the forerunner of the modern Father Christmas or Santa Claus (in the Netherlands the festival is called SinterKlaas). My family lived in Germany near the Dutch border when I was a child and on theevening of the 5th December we would put our shoes by the fireplace. The following morning Saint Nikolaus would have filled them with sweets if you’d been good, or if you’d been bad, you’d get sticks to beat you with from his sinister assistant, Knecht Ruprecht. One year I got sticks. Not sure I’ve yet forgiven my parents.
Chief Executive Officer, Walpole
