The successes of London 2012 will be celebrated at the Mayor's annual Carol Service, which takes place at Southwark Cathedral today (Monday 17 December).
Hosted by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the free event is open to all and will bring together British athletes who competed in this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as Team London Ambassadors and Games Maker volunteers who helped make the Games such a success. They will be joined by London Assembly Members, community, business and faith representatives, ambassadors and high commissioners and other members of the public.
Readings will be given by the Mayor and the Chair of the London Assembly Jennette Arnold, along with Natasha Baker, who won two gold medals in dressage at the Paralympics, and Olympic rower Alex Partridge, who took Bronze in the men's eight event at the Olympic Games.
Also giving readings will be Team London Ambassador Kiran Kaur and Games Maker Louise Cheung. Kiran Kaur will read the poem 'I Am', which was written by ten year-olds Paige Wilson, Heather Murray and Luke James, who all attend Roding Primary School in Dagenham. Their poem was shortlisted in the Highly Commended category from over 2,000 entries in the Mayor's London 2012 Poetry Competition.
There will also be special performances by Urban Voices Collective, who took part in the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games and St Catherine School Girls Choir from Bexleyheath.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our Carol Service is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing successes and achievements of an extraordinary year for our city, one that we shall never forget. It's also an opportunity to reflect on how we can build on the fine qualities that were on show throughout our golden Games, from the aspiration, hard work and glorious achievements of our sporting heroes, to the community spirit and good humour of the thousands of volunteers that welcomed people from around the world and helped make it such a triumph.'
CAROL SERVICE PROGRAMME
Event: Mayor's Carol Service
Date: Monday 17 December 2012
Time: 6:15pm for 7pm start. Runs until 8pm
Venue: Southwark Cathedral, Montague Close, London SE1 9DA
Entry: FREE – on first come first served basis
Information: www.london.gov.uk/events/mayor-londons-carol-service
6:15pm ARRIVALS
7pm PROCESSION
Welcome Bidding Prayer by the Reverend Canon Gilly Myers
Reading 1 Jennette Arnold, Chair of the London Assembly
Reading 2 Kiran Kaur (Team London Ambassador)
Song St Catherine's School Gospel Choir
Reading 3 Alex Partridge (Team GB)
Reading 4 Natasha Baker (Paralympics GB)
Song Urban Voices Collective
Reading 5 Louise Cheung (London 2012 Games Maker)
Reading 6 Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
Final blessing The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun,
Bishop of Southwark
8pm SERVICE ENDS
Notes to editors
The Mayor's Carol Service at Southwark Cathedral is one of many events taking place across the capital during the festive season and the New Year period. Other attractions include: dozens of other carol singing events throughout the city; ice-skating at iconic locations throughout the city; the West End Christmas lights; the Norwegian Christmas tree and carols for good causes in Trafalgar Square; the Menorah in Trafalgar Square marking the Jewish festival of Chanukah; the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve Fireworks Display at the London Eye; and the New Year's Day Parade.
Large crowds will gather to watch the Mayor of London New Year's Eve fireworks display. display at the EDF Energy London Eye, with millions mores seeing it on television. More information can be found at www.london.gov.uk/nye. Information about events and attractions throughout Christmas and into New Year can be found at www.visitlondon.com/christmas. Information to help you plan your journey over the same period will be available at www.tfl.gov.uk/festive.