Our annual Festival of Carols is to be held at Exeter Cathedral on Wednesday 6th December. This year’s festival is in aid of MIND, the college’s charity of the year. The free event, open to the public, will open its doors from 6.30pm to anyone wishing to join the college’s staff, students and family members to celebrate the festive season, with the event starting at 7.30pm.

Karen Bolton, Head of Community & Events Fundraising at Mind, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank-you to all the students and staff of Exeter College for choosing to fundraise for Mind and for all the hard work they have put in to organising fundraising events throughout this term. As well as raising awareness about mental health, every penny raised from the event will help fund Mind’s vital work including the Mind Infoline, our advice services and the campaigning Mind does to secure a better deal for the one in four of us who experience a mental health problem every year. We wish them all the very best of luck for the Festival of Carols, which will no doubt be a wonderful way to kick off the festive season.”

The event, sponsored by Lloyds Bank, includes music from the Exeter College Chamber Orchestra, Music Academy ensemble and Big Band and the audience are encouraged to join in the singing led by the College’s Choral Society.

Principal John Laramy says: “The Festival of Carols provides an opportunity for us to recognise the start of the festive season and celebrate the talent of our student musicians, readers, staff and college community.”

The Festival begins with a stunning candlelit procession, followed by a welcome from college Principal John Laramy and prayers and blessings by the Dean of the Cathedral and Rev’d Christopher Durrant. Guests are invited to sing along with the carols, listen to readings by students, and join in prayer.

Donations will be collected at the end of the evening to go towards the college’s annual fundraising for Mind, whose aim is “to ensure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.”

This event is free and open to the public to enjoy, doors open from 6.30pm to anyone wishing to join the college’s staff, students and family members to celebrate the festive season, with the event starting at 7.30pm.