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Day 19 of the Henley Living Advent took the audience to Henley Cricket Club, but inside the pavilion rather than on the terrace as in previous years.

A fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides accommodation to families with a child in hospital, the audience were treated on arrival by partners for the night GPC Marketing to warm festive punch, sausages, sausage rolls and pork pies.

The 20 plus strong Thames Valley Chorus assembled at one end of the packed pavilion and treated the audience to a great set of contemporary and festive classics. Songs ranged from moving renditions of “You Raise Me Up” and “O Holy Night”, to the fun and energetic finale of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.

“Such a great night” said event organiser Richard Rodway. “I think the venue really worked for them. The acoustics and intimate packed setting created a really good atmosphere. I thought they would good before, which is why I brought them back, but they have found some extra gears!”. “We raised more money tonight than we have done at the Cricket Club before, so that’s a great achievement and it’s always nice when audience members feed back to you that that was their favourite performance so far, something I have heard a few times now this year, which is great since it means people are coming out again and again, and that we are hopefully delivering on some nice surprises and polished performances”.

After the performance Phil Chappell and Deputy Mayor Will Hamilton presided over the raffle, with an array of prizes donated by the charity, GPC Marketing and Lawlors Bakery.

Thanks to Martin Cook of Hiddenhenley.com for the photos.

Night 20 now takes the Living Advent to the River & Rowing Museum and Henley Festival where Davis Tate estate agents will be partnering for the first time.