Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor is hosting a community carol concert for The Royal Foundation this week. This special event places a spotlight on local young people and is dedicated to supporting the Welsh charity Piws, which is committed to creating a more accessible Wales.
This year’s theme celebrates those who care for young people and the service at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral is in support of the local charity Piws, whose mission is to create a more accessible Wales for families with hidden and visible disabilities.
The service, which takes place on Wednesday 6 December, will be introduced by the Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd Edmund Seymour Bailey, and has been specially designed for invited guests from local schools.
Care has been taken by Piws and the Cathedral team to create a carol service that is accessible for children and young people with severe learning difficulties and non-visible disabilities. The music, activities, shape and style of the service will be quite different from some traditional carol services, but has all been prepared to create a welcoming environment for the congregation.
Davina Carey-Evans, Founder of Piws, says, “We are honoured to be part of this unique event in Wales, where Piws takes centre stage in championing inclusion and equality.
“Being involved in this endeavour signifies a commitment to empowering families and individuals, aligning seamlessly with the Royal Foundation’s shared vision. Together, we aspire to create a space where everyone can step out and relish a delightful day with unwavering confidence.
“The significance of this event extends beyond the immediate celebration—it is a testament to our collective dedication to minimizing feelings of isolation. Our joint mission is to inspire providers to implement small yet impactful changes, fostering inclusivity in diverse settings, including places of worship.
“It is particularly heartening to witness the enthusiastic engagement of Bangor Cathedral, underscoring their commitment to accessibility for all impairments.”
Welcoming the news, Siôn Rhys Evans, Sub-Dean of Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral, says, “We marvel at Christmas at God coming among us in a vulnerable child. Sometimes we gloss over that, and make Christmas too sweet. Christmas’s magic is always paired up with the challenge to make our world, blessed by God’s presence, a fairer and more just place, especially for children and young people.
“This carol service celebrates those values of fairness and justice, as well as the joy of the gift of Christmas, and we’re delighted to be doing so at the Cathedral this year in partnership with the Royal Foundation.”
Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral is one of 12 locations to host a community carol service across the UK and complements the Royal Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey which is hosted by the Princess of Wales. The service from Westminster will be shown as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.
