Christmas in Brighton at St Bartholomew’s Church

Ruby Grimshaw plays it safe over Christmas

Christmas seems to have taken on a gentle routine of its own for me these last few years, which is quite reassuring and comfortable. Going along to hear the Boyan Ukraine choir at St Bartholomews church now marks the start of the festivities, especially as it was held later in November last year.

It was their 20th Anniversary Tour and at first I wondered if this was why there seemed to be an odd air of levity about the choir members. Usually their stern faces and aggressive postures make me think of spy books like Tom Clancy’s The Cardinal of the Kremlin. Yet they seemed to be having little in-jokes between them, giving each other little smirks and surreptitious nudges. All was revealed when it was announced at the end of the evening, their 26th concert in England covering two months, that afterwards they would be trouping straight into their coach and returning home. The fact that this would take two days was not spoiling their mood, and everyone agreed that it was a particularly brilliant show.

“Usually their stern faces make me think of spy books”

I am not especially enthusiastic about carol services but I do like to go to something loud and uplifting like Handel’s Messiah. So when I was invited by a friend from Hurstpierpoint’s choir to attend their choral concert I was very happy to go along. I was pleased I did because the singing was wonderful and it was held in the beautiful St Nicholas church in Henfield. In the interval I asked if I could have a little go on the harpist’s impressive instrument. I got quite carried away and managed what I thought were some credible ripples. When she told me the harp was worth £35,000 I stepped back quickly. I was only amazed she had let me come anywhere near her harp, let alone touch it. Anyway, the Hurtpierpoint Singers will definitely become part of my Christmas ritual.

If anyone recalls my promise of 2010, to join the nutters (sorry, brave swimmers) running into the sea on Christmas day, I have an admission to make. I shall always include watching them taking to the water but sadly I did not join them last year. I had not been in the sea at all since I made that promise (a quick paddle on Bondi beach does not count – even that I found chilly) – and I felt a heart attack was probably on the cards if I faced a temperature of 4°C. I do want to celebrate Christmas 2012.