FESTIVE carollers from around the county were treated last weekend at Tintern’s torchlight carol service, held at Tintern Abbey on 5th December.

The family event, which was attended by over 350 people, is always well supported this year was no exception. Profits from the event were in aid of a selection of Chepstow Rotary Club’s charities.

So far this year the Chepstow club has raised over £1,300 for Rotary charities including global polio eradication, the Young Chef, Citizen, Photographer, Writer and Musician competitions in local schools, a Life Education bus and shoe boxes filled by local schoolchildren for the needy in eastern Europe.

Families who braved the blustery but dry weather formed a group at the Anchor Inn, Tintern, before taking part in the torchlight procession up to the abbey. They then walked in to the Abbey to the sounds of the choir singing carols, adults with flamelit torches and children with light sticks.

Once all were within the Abbey the congregation sang together a wide selection of most popular carols along with the Wyedean School Gospel Choir. The carols were interspersed with seasonal Bible readings while prayers were lead by The Reverend Andrew Webster.

A spokesperson from Chepstow Rotary said: “This was a very special evening that everyone will remember.

“It surely opened the Christmas season with a flourish.”