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18 Dec 2009 11:27:10
The Xmas factor has arrived at the University of Bedfordshire with festive celebrations at its two main campuses.
More than 300 staff, students and the general public attended the University Christmas Service known as ‘ Carols by Candlelight’ at St Mary’s Parish Church in Luton last Thursday night.
The musical accompaniment was supplied by the University of Bedfordshire Choir along with the Christian Union Choir and the Chinese Student Fellowship Choir which sang Amazing Grace - in Chinese!
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE, was one of those to give a reading.
The chaplain at the Luton campus, Revd Andrew Goodman, said: “It’s a wonderful occasion which brings everyone together. But of course it’s only made possible by the Tree House chaplaincy team of students who put in hours of work to make everything happen behind the scenes.
“For me, it’s the start of Christmas and I’d like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas on behalf of the Tree House team and the University.”
There was an altogether more cafe-style approach to the ‘Christmas Joy’ event at the Bedford campus on Tuesday evening.
With support from the Bedford campus Christian Union, there were carols and readings and a special dance performance by University students together with Roly Bain, dubbed the Holy Fool.
Roly is a real-life vicar based in Bristol who also doubles as a clown and regularly visits schools, colleges and prisons.
Cass said: “We opted for a more informal and relaxed evening on campus this year; I think the different format was successful.
“I invited Roly because he’s so visual and conveys the Christian message in a light and fun way.”
Nearly £430 was raised over the two evenings for the READ International Book Project which aims to promote literacy in several third world countries by sending used books to schoolchildren in either Tanzania or Uganda.
Luton campus – ‘Carols by Candlelight’
Photo 1: Left to right: The Revd Andrew Goodman, Cynthia Gresham (High Sheriff of Bedfordshire), Professor Les Ebdon CBE (University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor) and Cllr Morel Benard (Deputy Mayor of Luton).
Photo 2: The Chinese Student Fellowship Choir.
Bedford campus – ‘ Christmas Joy’
Professor Les Ebdon CBE, the University’s Vice Chancellor (second left) with Roly Bain, the Holy Fool, and, left to right: Professor Cara Aitchison (Dean of Faculty of Education and Sport), Revd Cass Howes and Professor Andrew Slade (Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise).
Latest news» 2009» December» Staff and students have the Xmas factor
