This diverse group of talented individuals, all of whom are regular worshippers at St. John’s, were brought together to perform at the Christmas Tree Festival by Julie Ann Carr. She herself has long been connected with the church having first played our organ for a service at the age of 16!The programme was as varied as the performers.
It was opened and closed by John Cotterall playing a “sing a long” medley on the keyboard. I don’t like to complain about the sunshine but it did rather obliterate the words being projected on to a screen. However, the assembled audience made valiant attempts with such classics as “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “Smile” and “Love Me Tender” to name but a few.
John was followed by James Warren with lively renditions of “Jingle Bell rock and “When
Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney”, Val Warren with the classic “Winter Wonderland” and “Let it Snow” and Sue Adams with “Wishing” and “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas”. 
After this, a massive build up preceded Geoffrey Ellis' public debut on the keyboard! Hands literally shaking, Geoffrey bravely delivered “Mull of Kintyre” and “Wonderful World”. He finished to tumultuous applause! [In fact the most enthusiastic applause I heard all weekend – and that’s saying something!]
We then returned to a Christmas theme with Laura Bevan’s rather more Modern “Last Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Everyone”. 
Following Laura, Mark Warren reminded us of the reason for the season with “When a Child Is Born” before David Warren enlivened proceedings with the more secular “Santa Claus is Comi
ng to Town” and “Wish it Could be Christmas Every day”.
Following Laura, Mark Warren reminded us of the reason for the season with “When a Child Is Born” before David Warren enlivened proceedings with the more secular “Santa Claus is Comi
ng to Town” and “Wish it Could be Christmas Every day”. Geoffrey, Sue and Mark performed for us once more before Lucy Wright sang “The Christmas Song” (with a little “help” from her young cousin) and “Rockin’ 
Around The Christmas Tree” ahead of John’s final medley.
Around The Christmas Tree” ahead of John’s final medley. Well done everybody and well done Julie for coordinating it all.
[I make no apology for dwelling specifically on “St. John’s Got Talent”. I do so not because they were necessarily any more worthy than any of our other entertainers but because this is, when all is said and done, the St. John’s blog!!!]
