THE skies of Grimsby town centre were filled with song as the congregation of Grimsby Minster celebrated Ascension Day.
The pitch-perfect voices of the group of eight choristers and three choral scholars carried across the town, as they took to the roof of the church to sing Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise.
It's a tradition that has been enjoyed in Grimsby for "donkey's years" and, as ever, it went down well with passersby, with one remarking "Don't they sound sweet?" as she passed.
Canon Andrew Dodd, the priest in charge for Great Grimsby and area dean of North East Lincolnshire, said: "Ascension Day is the day when the Church remembers the story in the Bible when Jesus ascended back to Heaven to remain with the Father.
"It's the story that encourages disciples to go out into the world and bear witness to God's love in the world.
"It is held 40 days after Easter and lots of churches celebrate by having things like balloon releases and fireworks.
"Part of our tradition here is for the choir to go up onto the tower, which is as high as they can go in the town centre, to represent following Jesus up.
"It's a well-established tradition here at the minster. We have been doing it for donkey's years."
The choir had been training for the big day under the direction of choirmaster Tony Pinel.
He explained that the group, made up of St James' School pupils aged eight to 16, practised every school day.
He said: "This is something they particularly enjoy. It's a tradition that has been done every year for a number of years now.
"For four of the younger boys, it was their first time."
And, as the singers descended the steep, narrow spiral staircase following their performance, they were full of excited chatter about the experience.
More than one of the boys described the experience as "awesome".
Among them was head chorister Roy Hillson, 12.
He said: "It is the second time I have done it and it was awesome.
"The view from the tower is fantastic, but the part I like the best is the singing."
