Mudeford RNLI hosts first ever Christmas carol concert

The new ‘Carols on the Quay’ event at Mudeford Quay provided an evening of music and entertainment for hundreds of people.

Guests were welcomed by RNLI volunteer lifeboat operations manager Tim Hewett before the new event was officially opened by the Mayor of Christchurch.

The inaugural concert featured local choristers The Choir Engine who led the audience through an hour of carol singing.

The RNLI’s Rookie the Reindeer and Stormy Stan were also on hand to entertain the audience as people queued up for burgers and mulled wine at the Haven House Inn and Café.

Mudeford RNLI's Carols on the Quay event (Image: RNLI)

After the concert, the RNLI volunteer crew gave tours of the Mudeford RNLI station, showing visitors the Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

This lifeboat has been called out 85 times this year - topping the whole of 2022 when it was called out on 65 occasions. 

Tim Hewett said: “As a lifesaving charity we depend on the support of our local community to continue our vital work saving lives at sea.

“We had the idea of holding a carol concert as a way of saying thank you and hopefully create an event that brings us all together at this special time of year.

“We were amazed and delighted that so many of the Mudeford community attended.

“With the 200th anniversary of the RNLI next year, we really hope we can make this an annual event.”

The event, which took place on Friday, December 15, was described as a success by visitors.

Christchurch resident Chelsea said: “It was an amazing evening. There was a sea of people all enjoying and joining in the singing.

"It was great to see the community come together for such a great cause. I really hope Mudeford RNLI hold this concert again next year.”