Henley Living Advent Calendar night six: Shiplake College wind band 

The Shiplake College Wind Ensemble surprised audiences on the sixth night of the Henley Living Advent Calendar  

Eight students and staff from the school played a number of Christmas carols on brass instruments to spectators in the courtyard of Hotel du Vin in New Street last night (Wednesday).

The three trumpet players, a French horn player and four saxophonists played songs including Jingle Bells, O Come Oh Ye Faithful, and Hark the Herald Angel Sing.

The night was sponsored by Niki Schafer Design and was raising money for the Henley Talking Newspaper, a group of volunteers who record the Henley Standard for those who are visually impaired or struggle to read. 

The crowd were encouraged to sing along to the tunes by the band’s conductor Richard Curran, who is head of music at the school. 

Mr Curran said: “It's always really special. This is the third time we've performed at the Living Advent Calendar. It's just great to be a part of something so worthwhile.” 

Jasper Elliott, 25, a music teacher at the school, played the Saxophone in the ensemble. He said: “I have been playing Saxophone since I was about 11, I started when I was in year seven so quite a long time now. 

“Tonight was fantastic. It’s a lovely, lovely environment and lovely location as well, despite the cold. 

The ensemble performed as part of the school’s winter concert last week and will be playing at the College’s carol concert on the 15th, traditionally held at St Mary’s church on Hart Street. 

Audience members enjoyed complimentary mulled wine and mince pies and the performance was followed by a raffle with prizes from the Bell Book Shop, bottles of wine and candles, box of chocolates.  

Richard Hodgkin, the chairman of the Henley Talking Newspaper, encouraged the crowd to buy raffle tickets in support of the charity.  

He said: “We have been running now for 41 years, Every Thursday, a group of people meet in a room in town and hospital where we set up a recording studio.  

“And we record about an hour's worth of the local news from our Henley Standard, who provide us with an early copy of the paper. 

“It is recorded, and then it's transferred onto memory sticks. And then we send it out to what we call our listeners.  

“The people who receive it are mainly visually impaired, but we also include people who can't read for any other reason.  

“We also provide it to about six or seven local care homes. So, there's a lot of people that listen to it.” 

The living advent calendar event, which began in 2011 and is supported by the Henley Standard, comprises performances in different locations across the town on 24 days like an Advent calendar. 

Each night will be in aid of a different charity. The acts will remain secret until the night. Each performance will start at 6.15pm. 

The remaining venues are as follows: 7 Holy Trinity Church, 8 River & Rowing Museum, 9 Henley Rugby Club, 10 Kenton Theatre, 11 Relais Henley, 12 Magoos, 13 Christ Church, 14 Chiltern House, 15 Eyot Centre, 16 Leander Club, 17 Henley Cricket Club, 18 Market Place, 19 Simmons & Sons, 20 Henley Community Hub, 21 Catherine Wheel, 22 Bull on Bell Street, 23 The Anchor, 24 St Mary’s Church. 

For more information, visit www.livingadventcalendar.co.uk