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Night #12 saw the audience congregate in the courtyard of The Relais. A new venue to the event (albeit the event did visit the venue in it’s previous guise of The Red Lion in 2011 / 2012). It was also the first time that a Living Advent performance was staged in the snow, with a light dusting still covering the courtyard from the previous night’s snowfall, and adding to the festive ambiance. The hosts treated the large audience to hot chocolate and cake.

With event organiser Richard Rodway missing the performance, Tom Ryan had stepped in to organise the night’s content and compere, and what a good job he did! Before the surprise performance, the audience were treated to selfies with the roaming Father Christmas, and glitter tattoos! Tom Ryan then introduced two surprise performers. First up Holly Shillito performed her own composition followed by a couple of festive hits including Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights” and East 17s “Stay Another Day”. It was then the turn of Sheb Bamsey to return to the stage (following her performance in 2019) for some belly dancing! Rather colder for Sheb on this occasion!

The night was a fundraiser for Henley Mermaids and the audience donated generously.