My own favourite item was A Christmas Landscape devised by Graham Lamplough.  Many well-known characters were visited on this imaginary journey including The Ice Queen, a snowman, Father Christmas and Rudolph.  Had anyone seen a laughing reindeer before?
The YP Band presented with style and class an original composition by the Bandleader's brother Paul, A Christmas Celebration.  The Songsters also sang new music in the form of Eternal Oasis, composed by Wesley Kendrick, and Sing Gloria.  Anna Lamplough presented a modern day cameo drama Key of David, followed by the Senior Band in Three Kings Swing.
The final carol Who is He? using Band, Songsters and Susanna Hart, provided a different and quieter conclusion to the previous years.  It still had the desired effect.
This year's appeal was for the Homeless and Needy - the amount raised was £5,500.  Thanks are due to everyone involved in making the day such a success.

Rotary Carol Service

Always an interesting event.  Around 300 elderly people came from all over Birmingham to share in a night of carols and festivity.  This year a lady aged 105 was given an enthusiastic welcome.  Fred Crowhurst, the compére, used his humour to keep the proceedings ticking along.  For instance, the congregation were asked to guess who was married to Karen Farmer, choosing from Martyn Pearce, Tim Farmer and Paul Dickinson.  They guessed correctly despite some kidology from Martyn.  The Divisional Commander even broke into song this year as part of his Christmas message.  The evening concluded with the Rotary President presenting a cheque for £1,000 to the Divisional Commander.
Cliff Richard Celebrity Tennis - National Indoor Arena
A group of 15 bandsmen, together with Lesley Nicholson (keyboard), attended this year.  There was a crowd of over 10,000 at this Sunday evening event.  The tennis included many celebrities as usual, while the Royal Marines Band provided marching music along with very interesting manoeuvres.  A Russian version of the Spice Girls accompanied Cliff in his sing-along, and then the Band accompanied him in the singing of Mistletoe and Wine and other carols - all very enjoyable.