Last week saw the Home Farm Trust’s annual Coming of Christmas concert at Dorchester Abbey. This year’s merry offerings included the choir of New College alongside readings from guests Imogen Stubbs and Dominic West (pictured right).

Dorchester Abbey provided a fitting backdrop for the night’s candlelit proceedings — not to mention shelter from the onslaught of December temperatures — and doubtlessly added to the already seasonal atmosphere. Judging by the numbers in attendance, the concert can’t have failed to succeed in raising both funds and awareness for the charity’s on-going work providing practical help and support in everyday life for those with learning disabilities.

The Yuletide favourite Walking in the Air never fails to fill a room — or indeed, an entire abbey — with instant Christmas cheer, a fact made clear as the New College choir brought out a selection of classics, including the Snowman theme and their own impressive take on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The choir did not hog the candlelight though, as the audience, too, were encouraged to join in on a couple of carols.

Readings from Imogen Stubbs and Dominic West prompted the chance for a few chuckles as well as some festive food for thought. West’s reading of Thomas Hardy’s Absent-mindedness in a Parish Choir — complete with country accent — was a well-chosen, and well-read addition. And Stubbs’s poetic contribution of John Betjeman’s Advent 1955 caused the audience to reflect wryly upon the reality of modern day Christmases. It was, however, when the two joined forces to read an extract from The Other Side of the Dale that was the true gem.

As Edward Higginbottom, the director of music for the New College choir, pointed out: “No Christmas is complete without an unexpected present,” and the choir’s rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas was certainly an unforeseen gift that rounded off the night’s entertainment on a high note.