Annual festive service held with more than 1,200 in attendance
Over 1,200 people attended Bolton Wanderers’ recent Silent Night Carol Service, held in the Premier Suite on Monday night.
The popular annual service was led by club Chaplain Phil Mason, and will be broadcast on 107.4 Tower FM on Christmas morning between 6am-7am.
With the event itself forming part of the club’s tributes honouring 100 years since the outbreak of World War I, 11 schools came together to form a 300-strong choir, supported by a brass band.
Seven competition winners from the schools involved also read out their ‘letters from the trenches’, having been challenged to think about what it must have been like to be in the trenches over Christmas in 1914.
There was also a collection for the club’s local nominated charity partner ‘Winston’s Wish’, who look after children and young people who have lost their parents in difficult circumstances, and have a specific project for people who have lost their mum or dad through military operations.
Meanwhile, shirt manufacturers Macron donated 150 pieces of warm clothing to Urban Outreach.
“It was a great night with a great atmosphere,” said Phil Mason when reflecting on the night. “In the carol service we reflected on World War I and we looked at the football truce that happened on Christmas Day, reminding ourselves that football can be the language of all people and can speak into all sorts of situations.
“It was great to have a brass band playing the carols. The children were outstanding in the songs that they sang and the letters the seven winners read out were very moving.
“It was just the perfect way to start Christmas and get it going.”