Top Walsall Council bod Kate Goodall contacted me to ask if I could plug the Christmas Carol Concert at Walsall Arboretum. It is to be held in the beautifully refurbished park bandstand today, Saturday 21st December 2013, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. It’s free, and will make for a welcome, relaxing break from Christmas shopping.

I’m told on the QT that there may well be mince pies, and the odd treat for enthusiastic canine companions attending, particularly if they like to howl along…

I know a few folk who attended last year’s event and had a great time – so please do visit and share a little of that Christmas spirit.

Again, I can’t promise snow, but Walsall Arboretum is a treat. If you haven’t been in a while, do go check it out. It’s gorgeous. Image by Gary Crutchley, and embedded from his Flickr photo stream.

Kate had this to say:

Premier park the setting for Christmas carols

A seasonal singalong awaits visitors to Walsall Arboretum this weekend – with a Christmas carol Concert at the premier park’s bandstand.

Walsall Council has teamed up with the town’s Bath Street Band and Choir to offer the festive feast of favourites from 1pm-2pm on Saturday 21 December 2013.

And people are being invited to go along and join in with the pre-Christmas event at the newly refurbished bandstand.

Darryll Prew, choirmaster, said visitors could be sure of all their traditional favourites.

‘All the words to the carols will be on song sheets available on the day so just bring yourselves and your voices and sing along with our full band,’ he said.

Councillor Anthony Harris, portfolio holder for leisure and culture with Walsall Council Coalition, said ‘This will really get everyone in a festive mood and it’s great to see the refurbished bandstand so well used this year.

I hope we get a good turnout – it doesn’t matter if you’re tone deaf, you can still belt out a carol or two safe in the knowledge there’s a brilliant band and choir to carry you!’

After the event, visitors can enjoy a stroll around the arboretum which is undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment.

For further details please contact Glen Buglass or Kate Goodall at Walsall Council on 01922 653114 or 01922 654619 or email buglassg@walsall.gov.uk orgoodallk@walsall.gov.uk