There may still be plenty of shopping days left but, as the winter nights draw in, Harrow Choral Society has started preparations for its Christmas concert in Harrow School Speech Room.

Its annual Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 15, will have Christmas music old and new in a historic setting and a good helping of audience participation to add to the mix.

Each year the choir invites a celebrity guest to give readings on a seasonal theme and this year they welcome John Sergeant, one of the BBC’s best known political correspondents and former political editor of ITV, whose distinguished broadcasting career recently took an unexpected turn after his memorable performance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

“There is something very special about our Christmas Celebration”, said Chairman Peter Miller. “The Speech Room is a unique venue and since the concert is always a sell-out there is a capacity audience to perform to. We have some great music in the programme and John Sergeant is bound to add a touch of dry humour to the proceedings.”

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Kareema Marikar, will also join the audience in the Speech Room for what promises to be a wonderful evening of words and music.

The conductor is Music Director Simon Williams and the 100-strong choir will be joined by the superb Elysian Brass ensemble.

Tickets can be booked through the website harrowchoral.org.uk or ordered through the Harrow Choral Society Box Office: 020 8863 7830 or boxoffice@harrowchoral.org.uk