THE Minster provided shelter for all the Christmas carollers to make merry in the warm.
As reported, the annual Carols By Candlelight service in St James' Square on Thursday, was organised in association with the Grimsby Minster, Grimsby In Bloom and the Grimsby Telegraph.
The stage was set, the speakers were raring to go and lights set up outside were shining like a guiding star – but the rain was coming down hard and the cold was getting to the congregation.
However, organisers saved the day at the last minute, bringing the service inside the beautiful Grimsby Minster so everyone could sing and be merry in the warm – for the second year running.
A huge crowd bundled inside with their hymn sheets – printed in the Grimsby Telegraph – and lit up candles provided by Grimsby In Bloom, then sung Christmas classics, from Come On Ye Faithful to Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.
And after a great festive sing-song, Reverend Canon Andrew Dodd wished a very merry Christmas to "each and every one of you".
After the service, he said: "It was cold outside, but everyone came into the warmth and we are lucky to be able to accommodate such a large congregation in the Minster.
"People stood in groups and gathered together around the band, which was nice, as we didn't want it to be a formal service like any other – that's why we hoped to hold it in St James' Square.
"It wasn't a normal church-going crowd, but there is something about Christmas that reminds people of their faith and brings them back to church at this time of year."
Jane Tomlinson, 36, of Scartho, went with her two sons Oliver, 5, and Lewis, 2.
She said: "It is good that they had a plan B and I thought getting everyone together in this lovely church worked really well.
"We come to the service every year and the boys love having a sing and even a bit of a dance."
Dan Holland, 23, of Littlefield Lane, went with his wife Karen and two sons, Jacob, 3, and Lewis, 2.
"We don't go to church every week, but it is always nice to sing some carols at this time of year.
"It is a great experience for the boys and they really enjoyed it."
Jacob said: "My favourite song was Jingle Bells."
Elaine Atkinson, chairman of Carols By Candlelight partners Grimsby In Bloom, said: "It was a brilliant night and it was nice to see how many people turned up from all different generations."
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