A festive charity event which has taken place in the village for over 30 years will be hosted for the first time by the Pickering family at The Yard.
Alderley Edge's 33rd annual Charity Carol Nite will take place on Sunday, 22nd December, featuring live music from family and friends of the Carlton Ensemble.
The community event will be led by Fay Wertheimer, who started the ball rolling at No 15 Wine Bar in 1981. Since then they have raised almost £28,000 for local causes which are nominated by guests on the night.
Fay Wertheimer commented "The closure of No 15 was a blow at the time but popular demand ensured that the charity night continued, and last year saw it return to its original location, now re-vamped as 'The Botanist', where £1000 was collected in charity donations."
Fay added "I only organise the music beforehand and on the night - the hosts and their staff do the hard work looking after our punters and this year it's the Pickering family. In fact over the 33 years, families have been the key, firstly the Eatons', the Wheeldons', now the Pickerings and my own Sassoon lot too!
"Perhaps that's why, looking back, the Alderley Charity Carols Nite always seemed to capture something special, warm and basic which propelled it along. Singing only starts after people are well fed and tanked up so from the start they felt more inclined to let rip.
"Raising substantial funds whilst having fun in a wine bar or eaterie was novel in the 80s!! No-one expected a tradition to develop but with carols binding folk together and raising funds too I see why it took off and I look forward to it continuing at The Yard.
"This event's become an intrinsic part of my musicians', my family's and my own seasonal calendar. By donating their services, they've maintained that rare thing - a sense of Christmas spirit."
The Christmas Carol Nite will start from 7pm. Tickets are £20 each, including food and a £10 donation to charity - though extra donations are always welcome.
If you just fancy the sing-along, people are welcome to pop in around 8.30pm and pay £7.50 on the door.
